Thunder Bring ‘A’ Game, Dump Harden’s Rockets

OKC 116 — Houston Rockets 108

OKC started slowly on Friday night inside Chesapeake Energy Arena, trailing by as many as 12 points in the first half before going to the dreaded Hack a Dwight Howard strategy to change Houston’s offensive flow. Hate it if you may, but it worked as Houston cooled. The Thunder steadied themselves and went on to play one of their best halves of basketball in the second half enroute to a playoff like 116-108 win over the Rockets.

Houston led 58-55 at the half. But from the moment Donovan went Hack a Dwight the Rockets cooled and the game changed with OKC leading 89-83 after three periods.

OKC’s hard fought, emotional win broke a Rocket five game winning streak over the Thunder which dated back to April 2014. OKC improves to 36-13 with the win, while Houston drops to 25-24.

These two teams clearly have a distaste for one another and could very well be meeting in a No. 3 versus No. 6 first round playoff series.

Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverly did their perfunctory fanging of one another at several junctures, but Westbrook did not allow himself to be J.J. Barea suckered, instead Westbrook turned in a stellar performance with his sixth triple double of the season. Westbrook’s line …. 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 14 assists.

Durant was brilliant as well with 33 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists. But it was Durant’s defense and overall court attitude which set the tone for the Thunder in the second half as they defensively put the clamps on Houston from beyond the arc limiting the Rockets to 2-21 in the second half.

OKC’s two stars both brought their overall games in this one and their teammates followed the example. Dion Waiters was excellent scoring 16 points on a 6-9 shooting night and added some physical defense on Harden.

Enes Kanter for the second straight game was what he needs to be if OKC is going to prove to be contender instead of pretender come April. Kanter fueled OKC’s bench with a 22 point, 10 rebound double-double.

Kyle Singler, Anthony Morrow, and DJ Augustin were all solid giving exactly what Donovan needed from each. Singler…grit and hustle. Morrow…a couple of threes. Augustin ….solid backup point guard play. All three pulled their link on the chain.

Steven Adams pulled in 10 rebounds. Serge Ibaka didn’t do much stat wise, and only made one shot, but fought through the night as the game basically went small after Dwight Howard’s ejection at the 7:06 mark in the third period after he received his second technical.

I’m going with the two stars as my No. 1 Star of the Game for their defensive efforts in the second half. It seems appropriate since Durant and Westbrook were both named Co-Players of the Month in the Western Conference.

James Harden led the Rockets with 33 points.

A good ballgame to watch. Arena had a playoff game feel to it. OKC’s two stars responded with some defensive intensity and the rest of the team followed their lead.

For the first time since OKC’s win in Dallas, OKC looked like a top four team in the league. Good win. I need a glass of wine and a song.

 

Mike Jackson

 

2 thoughts on “Thunder Bring ‘A’ Game, Dump Harden’s Rockets”

    1. Not sure I can play anymore songs since were now vying to the death for the holy grail of Daily Thunder. Putting my game face and pretending you’re Justin.

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