Last night the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets in an overtime 124 to 118. It was an amazing game that I’m glad I got the chance to take a look at. I didn’t have the opportunity to catch the whole game because of my homework and writing, but what I did watch was borderline amazing.
I caught the game in the third quarter with about seven or eight minutes to go. Throughout these minutes, I saw why the Thunder may or may not go to the NBA Finals this summer. They showed me both ends of the spectrum last night; when watching I thought for sure that they were going to blow that game. The Nuggets had proceeded to clamp down on defense and diminish a double digit lead. Andre Miller and Aaron Afflalo combined for 48 points and Miller had an especially excellent third quarter. They had come back to take the lead, and then the Thunder seized control once again.
It seemed like with Harden going only 2-12 last night that Durant and Westbrook had no where else to go with the ball. Ibaka was having a monster game in terms of defense, but they can’t rely on him for consistent points. It was all in their hands. What you would wait on too see is how they would deliver in the clutch moments of the game. We can see from the win and the final results that they obviously performed well.
In the fourth quarter I thought that the Thunder would lose the game. The Nuggets had taken a 111-109 point lead. Aaron Afflalo was dropping all types of shots in the fourth quarter and was looking to close the game out. After a missed free throw, there was a bit of a suspenseful feel in the air for me. I wondered what was going to be drawn up to get Durant or Westbrook a shot.
Normally, they would go to a PnR with their dynamic duo late in the game. The Nuggets had played that perfectly for the last minute and a half though. What they did was when Durant slips the screen, which he tends to do because it springs him open quickly on the 3 point line for an open look, they placed Al Harrington on him. With his superior strength Harrington as able to push Durant all the way behind Westbrook instead of letting him catch the ball on a spot that he was comfortable in.
Chris Mullin had stated this many times in the game before. Durant was catching the ball at spots that were comfortable for him to go to work at. Either at the top of the arch or somewhere between the wing and the elbow would be a suitable spot for him. Harrington denied him this position and that meant no shot for the Thunder. This created some bad looks for Westbrook; some of which he was able to make and some that he wasn’t. I mean, he did have a 40 point game. So some of these looks had to fall. On a night where these guys aren’t the hottest thing next to the Sun, this could be detrimental.
We can’t fault Westbrook for taking shots in these situations either, because he has no other option but to shoot the ball. Sure, he does take ill-advised shots from time to time. But last night, this was not the case. Westbrook thrived so you have to give credit where credit is due.
The look that was drawn up to tie the game up was a SLOB play with Harden inbounding the ball. Durant had caught a screen from Ibaka at the top of the arch and proceeded to make the catch. After setting the screen, Ibaka slashed to the basket to give Durant a pressure release if the defense flowed to him. All he would have to do is make the pass to Ibaka and it was an easy dunk. The play was executed beautifully and Durant had an open lane to dunk the ball.
The Thunder went on to win the game, but this showed me how dangerous of a team they are. Not only to the league, but to themselves. I still have them going to the Finals for now, but any potential slip up could be dangerous for this team. They showed me that if Harden is not on, they will struggle to score the ball consistently. Westbrook and Durant aren’t going to go for 91 every night. This was a performance for the ages. The last duo to score 40/40 was Jordan and Pippen. Before that it was KeKe Vanderwhege and Alex English with the Nuggets. Before them George Gervin and Mike Mitchell managed to do this. In each instance the game went into triple overtime according to ESPN and Elias Sports Bureau. Not to mention that Serge Ibaka also had a triple double with blocks for the first time in Franchise history. They are the only triple threat to go for 90 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 blocks in league history. That’s saying something.
That’s pretty great company to be in for these two young superstars. I don’t know how legitimate of a title contender you thought this Thunder was before, but now you have to keep your eye on them. The only question is how will they play after they see we’re watching.
Jessica Roberts
J-Dub
Jsportsfan
Kodys Sports Korner
Ravenation
Christopher
Sports Blog Movement 
Reblogged this on Great American Blog.
Great post…watching my Hawks struggle this afternoon and fail to outscore Durant and Westbrook’s performance was frustrating.
Its all good. That was a once in a decade performance it seems like. I don’t know though, all of these superstars making pairs may cause us to see performances like this more often.
I worry about their lack of scoring from anyone but Westbrook and Durant so often. Harden is a great 3rd option and has been awesome off the bench for them but it’s too regular for the Thunder that they need to completely rely on Durant and Westbrook I think. It’ll be interesting to see how that plays out in the playoffs
I’d have to agree. Even though Harden is considered an option, they’ll need him to be more consistent.
I’m still not sold on them making a run to the title. Not enough ball movement, way too much dribble-iso for Westbrook and he turns it over a lot, only two and a half offensive options. If they are turning it over this much when the whistles are blowing in their favor what happens when hand checking and tighter on the ball defense’s clamp down with the addition of more physicality being thrown into the mix would be my concern.
I also don’t understand how PF’s haven’t started to use more up fakes on Chew-Baka. Maybe I was spoiled by McHale as a child but it baffles me that PF’s are more concerned with trying to take him outside rather than use swing moves and fakes to lift him off the ground and then throw your shoulder in his chest and draw fouls.
They are a great team, I just wonder if they can make a run to the big dance with the turnovers and lack of options as a problem. I think they should try and deal for Ray Allen
That’s a pretty good point that you make there. There is a lot of Iso in their offense because of their ability to create so well. That can be used to their detriment.
Good power forwards usually do capitalize on Ibaka. The one’s like Dirk, LA, and Griffin do. Well, Griffin isn’t as adept at it yet. But taking him outside isn’t always the answer. McHale would’ve went to work on him.
Last night was truly amazing. While people will focus on Durant and Westbrook’s performance, I think Ibaka’s was more impressive. A triple-double with blocks is truly an amazing feat.
As for the team as a whole, I don’t think their defense will pull through for them in the end.
Lots of defensive questions with this team right now. I don’t understand why KD isn’t an above average defender when he’s 7 feet out on the perimeter.
Great game indeed by these two! I just see how good the Thunder are SNCC can’t help but think if the Kings do leave Sac, some other city will have a stud team in two years just like OKC got handed to them.
You better thank your lucky stars everyday OKC!
Durant’s drive and dunk to tie the game at the end of regulation was insane. He made it from half-court to the basket in like 2.2 seconds.