OKC Thunder 110 — Brooklyn Nets 99
After OKC’s bench unit screwed around and allowed Brooklyn to tie the game early in the fourth period with Durant and Westbrook both resting, Billy Donovan made a lineup change to combine Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, Waiters, and Morrow. It worked to perfection as OKC exploded from an 85-85 tie to a 13 point lead at one point.
Durant started the explosion with a couple of threes, then assisted Waiters on another trey. Durant and Waiters both hit another three and the working margin OKC created was enough to carry the Thunder to their tenth win of the season and third place currently in the West.
Actually– a fairly entertaining game to watch as Brooklyn hung around most of the night. OKC led 56-52 at the half. Brook Lopez led the Nets with 26 points. Thaddeus Young went for 18 points, 8 rebounds. Rookie Rondae Hollis-Jefferson chipped in with 11 points, 11 rebounds.
Durant and Westbrook were both extremely efficient in this game. Either could easily be selected as my No. 1 Star of the Game. Durant went for 30 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals on an 11-18 shooting night. But I think I’ll go with Westbrook as the OKCThunderGround No. 1 Star of the Game. Westbrook’s line went…27 points, 13 assists, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals going 10-16 from the field.
Dion Waiters had another game where he made big plays coming down the stretch with the game in doubt scoring 16 points. Serge Ibaka was okay going for 12 points and 8 rebounds, but he did some nice things down the stretch as well.
Anthony Morrow played 24 minutes and was quiet, but with him in the lineup which basically won the game for OKC–it was a good floor look as Brooklyn had no man to cheat off of. All five can hit threes. Fun lineup to watch.
Other things:
- OKC shot 52.6% from the field, 41.7% from behind the arc.
- Brooklyn shot 45.7% from the field, 23.1% from threes.
- OKC had 26 assists to 19 turnovers, but there was great ball movement at times.
- Kyle Singler did not see the floor and has become the Daily Thunder Official Whipping Boy for the 2015-16 season. First white guy since Cole Aldrich or Byron Mullens to win this honor.
- Overall bench play was average to poor tonight. Collison was okay, Augustin struggled keeping up with Larkin, and Kanter had what I would describe as a quiet night.
- Dion Waiters has become the Thunder’s third best option in fourth quarters to date this season.
- Didn’t see a tangible incremental step forward as far as team defense.
- Sat floor side tonight and quite frankly Steven Adams’ hair looks even more horrific up close than it does from other venues in the arena or on the flat screen.
- Sam Presti walked right by me before halftime and I thought he was an albino. Thunder to do list….Get Presti to a tanning salon, get rid of Steven Adams’ ponytail.
- Halftime show with the stunt dogs was excellent. I rose three times to give the dogs standing ovations. Great halftime show.
- Reggie Jackson–the minimalist back in OKC for his first appearance in OKC as a Detroit Piston. I won’t boo him, but I might hiss a couple of times.
- Have a great Thanksgiving with your families.
Mike Jackson
Floor side? Nice. 🙂