Portland Trailblazers 115 — OKC Thunder 110
Since this is basically a rogue blog where honesty is permitted which goes beyond what you’ll get from Thunder Jr. Cub reporter Nick Gallo, or Daily Thunder’s Royce Young…I think I’ll go ahead and write what I honestly think because I don’t have Sam Presti’s cell number and will never have a quid pro off the record agreement. Such are the blessings and shortcomings of being a rogue blogger.
You’ll notice I didn’t mention Fox homer deluxe Brian Davis in my opening statement. I can’t…because at the 8:20 mark in the fourth period he said something almost profound which made me say to myself, “Did he really say that?” I was stunned. Even asked my brother to verify the statement like you do in Oklahoma after an earthquake. He answered yes, so I’m going with it.
What Brian Davis said is this, “This team is lacking in focus and consistency.”
This must be what it was like when the apple tumbled downward and Sir Issac Newton discovered gravity. I was honestly stunned this wasn’t edited or something.
If it weren’t for Damian Lillard going off for 17 points in the final 3:20 of this basketball game…Brian Davis would be my No. 1 Star for his brazenly honest statement on a Fox telecast. Good for him.
But I’m going with Damian Lillard because winning matters and Damian Lillard was the primary reason OKC’s defense was torched the game after being torched by Lou Williams’ career high 44 points on Friday night against the dumpster fire Lakers.
Lillard went 31 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists and was the best point guard on the floor because….HIS TEAM WON.
Even for the defensively challenged Thunder—this was new ground. Portland set two team records regarding three point shooting. Attempts with 44, makes with 19, which equates to 43.2% from behind the line.
OKC actually led by eight points with 3:20 remaining, then scored on their next five possessions. There’s no way you can lose a basketball game doing this, right? Oh, yes…way.
On Portland’s next five possessions, Lillard hit five threes in a row to tie the game with just a over a minute left as OKC then wilted in the final minute to lose by five. Somewhere in this Allen Crabbe hit a three as well.
Unfortunately, Blazer coach Terry Stotts didn’t have Kobe Bryant to insert into the game to make certain Lillard couldn’t keep making threes.
Is it just me and Brian Davis or does anyone else in Thunder Nation feel a little uneasy about Mario Chalmers going off for 37, Lou Williams for 44, and this time Damian Lillard for 17 points in three minutes when ostensibly your five best basketball players are/or should be on the floor. The vision of Golden State playing this Thunder team is terrifying if you’re paying attention at all.
Kevin Durant didn’t score a point in the fourth period which has to be mentioned. As does…OKC’s bench being outscored by Portland’s bench 35-16. I’m honestly not trying too pick on Waiters and Kanter, but in 35 combined minutes of play they scored 11 points combined.
Anthony Morrow went scoreless and wunderkind Cam Payne had a tough game where he showed he is indeed a rookie.
Some other things beyond Lillard which need to be mentioned…OKC was out hustled on their defensive boards which led to Portland getting off 100 shots to the Thunder’s 76 shots.
OKC drops to 26-12 and is now only a game ahead of the LA Clippers in what appears will be a battle for the No. 3 seed in the West.
Not trying to be a downer, but think about this–in OKC’s last four games, they’re one Laker make from losing to the mentally imbalanced Kings, the dumpster fire Lakers, and Portland’s Trailblazers in an eight day span.
Mike Jackson
edit correction–Portland only attempted 44 three points shots which is not a record. I believe 46 is the record. My bad. So there’s that silver lining to cling to as the Thunder season lurches forward.
Well . . . 44 changes everything!