There are several ways I can approach this recap. I can take the Christian approach and neglect to write these Sixers lost their 19th consecutive game dating back to the end of last season. Or, I can go completely berserk going all Howard Beale from Network and call this Sixer group the latest in Sam Hinkie’s dumpster fire team building projects which in Year 8 might actually lead to some watchable NBA basketball. Or, I can take the high ground and just gently move to the recap and move on as quickly as possible. Let’s go to Option 3, no drama required on this one.
OKC’s Thunder won Game 9 on their schedule by a 102-85 count over a Philly Sixer team which had six undrafted players in uniform tonight. Take away No. 4 Nerlens Noel and what I basically saw was a D League team. Nerlen Noels is going to be a nice player. Sam Hinkie got that one right–I think. Okafor…I might get to that later, or I might not.
Philly actually led 24-18 after the first period of play, but OKC behind the play of Nick Collison, Enes Kanter and Dion Waiters off the bench… ‘kind’ of got things back on track in the second period and went to the half leading 48-43.
Before I go any further I want to give Nick Collison the OKCThunderGround No. 1 Star of the Game. In nineteen minutes–6 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and one block. I had his backdoor pass to Westbrook as my play of the game as well. Collison to Westbrook was a beautiful basketball play. Period.
Back to the game. I’ll give the Sixers this—even though their roster isn’t much, they did hang around and make it somewhat uncomfortable for OKC until the last several minutes.
OKC improves to 6-3, Philly drops to a league worse 0-9 and remains the only winless team in the NBA almost three weeks in on the schedule. Two things are certain this far into the season….Golden State is the best team in the West and its a very bad loss for any team which loses to Philadelphia maybe save the Lakers.
Some other things:
Anthony Morrow started in place of Durant and was functional going 5-8 for 12 points in 21 minutes. He was my No. 2 Star of the Game.
OKC, the league’s best rebounding team, pounded the Sixers on the boards 55-43.
Jahlil Okafor, the No. 3 pick in the 2015, draft went 3-18 on the night and was blocked on numerous occasions.
Steven Adams continues to do little things the right way which don’t always show up on a stat sheet.
Five different Thunder players scored in double figures…Westbrook, Ibaka, Waiters, Kanter and Morrow.
Thunder had 20 assists to 13 turnovers. Not bad. Didn’t reach the 25 assist plateau mark, but only because some very makeable shots didn’t drop.
And, by the way, Russell Westbrook had his second consecutive triple double going 21 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists. And, almost forgot, Russell Westbrook tied one Kobe Bryant with his 21st career triple double in this one.
So–on the night, OKC takes care of business without Durant, gets the win, and stays just behind San Antonio for second place in the West behind the 10-0 Golden State Warriors.
Brad Stevens and his Boston Celtics at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on Sunday evening.