Oklahoma City Thunder

at

Houston Rockets

Preview

The History

Both of these teams have undergone huge makeovers since the last time they played. For the Rockets in addition to the roster makeover they have a couple of key injuries, Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. Of the nine players the received minutes the first time these teams met last year 5 are no longer on the roster, including Johan Petro and Earl Watson both of whom started the game.

The Matchups

Aaron Brooks v Russell Westbrook

Aaron Brooks is beyond fast, if you blink you miss him. This should be a good test for Westbrook as Brooks is one of the first options on offense for the Rockets. Westbrook is coming off a rough couple of games, after a good start in the first two games Westbrook has been forcing things resulting in turnovers. Most of his turnovers have come as a result of trying to get the ball down low to Krstic, which might be easier tonight since Krstic will be guarded by the undersized Chuck Hayes. As long as Westbrook focuses on not turning the ball over and takes good shots he may not win the individual battle but his will probably win the war.

Edge

Quarter by Quarter observations

First Quarter

Krstic still appears to be having trouble finding the range, and Westbrook got lucky while trying to force it to him down low.  Krstic is also getting eaten alive by Bynum down low.

Thabo is playing some good defense on Kobe, but Kobe is Kobe so he is still making some ridiculous shots. Bryant is guarding Thabo down on the offensive side too which I didn't really expect.

Artest is doing a good job challenging on KD's shots so far.

Green is on Bryant right now playing good defense gets the challenge and forces the miss.

KD is struggling again so far.

Green hits a three after the Sefolosha steal. That's the sweet shot we were missing. I am surprised the Lakers didn't challenge the shot, I know Green has struggled the past couple of games but he did hit over .400 last year from three.

Ollie can not get out to challenge Fishers three and its good and on the other end no one challenges Greens three and its good.

Krstic is getting eaten alive in the post and can't seem to get it going on the offensive side.

Krstic misses another shot, another airball maybe he needs a night off to get his head sorted or something. I know everyone wants to play their way through whatever issue is plaguing their game but sometimes it is better to take a step back and take some time off.

KD hits from the elbow that was one of the first shots he really appeared to have his stroke back. Hopefully this will be the trigger that gets him back on track.

Green loses Odom and Kobe finds him under the basket for the easy bucket, just a terrible lapse in defense by Green.

Green blows by Artest but loses the handle and can't finish. It is good to see Green has the speed to blow by Artest I hope to see more of him down in the low post.

KD pulls the mason on Artest makes both free throws.

Sefolosha with another almost steal, Sefolosha and KD are being really active in the passing lanes resulting in a lot of steals and deflections.

Green lighting it up from three still no challenge.

Ollie with the pull up jumper as the shot clock gets low nice shot but the offense really stagnated there was almost no movement, it almost appeared to be an isolation for Ollie which I can't tell you how much I loathe the thought of.

Score to end the Quarter 32-25 Lakers

Oklahoma City Thunder

vs

Los Angeles Lakers

Preview

TheLakers views

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The History

Last year the Lakers swept the series, not really surprising considering the Thunder was a team in flux. This year the Thunder have gotten off to a good start, having already matched last years win total through Dec 16th, and are playing much better basketball. The Lakers also will probably be missing Pau Gasol which for the Thunder is both good and bad. Good because 22 and 14, 14 and 8, and 14 and 14 were the boxscores the last three times we played Pau. Bad because this would have been another chance to see how improved Jeff Greens defense really is, I think Green has really made huge strides on the defensive side of the court and while last sunday night against Roy he held his own, in limited action, I wanted to see more of Green on the big 7fters to see if he has what it takes.

The Matchups

Derek Fisherv Russell Westbrook

Westbrook is coming off a poor last game where he turned it over 9 times. The Thunder need Westbrook to take care of the ball above all else. Monday night Krstic, Durant, and Harden all struggled shooting on nights like that each possession is important and turning it over 9 times may have cost us a close one that we could have won on defense. The silver lining in this cloud of doom and gloom Westbrook did go 8-12 so he shot a great percent from the field if he can continue to score efficently and start taking care of the ball like he did in the first and second games then he can help get some wins. Fisher is a vet and after watching Blake get into Westbrooks head a little last game is sure to have a couple of tricks up his sleeve. However he is also not as quick as he used to be and really doesn't appear to be playing very well the last couple of games.

Edge

First Quarter

I thought Portland was the team just coming off the back to back, Blake is playing real fast right now harassing Westbrook and denying him the ball. Portland also has the defensive intensity dialed up quite a bit right now. In comparison we just look tired and sluggish I hope they shake it off and start playing with a purpose.

Aldridge is matched up on Krstic and Green is on Oden it will be interesting to see how Jeff handles the 7fter. Aldridge is just beating Krstic to the ball rebounding and shooting; this is not looking like a good matchup for Krstic.

Westbrook is just not making good decisions tonight, he has more turns than assists already and it is not looking like it will get better.

Green is playing some good defense against Aldridge down in the low post.

Down 9 early in the game the Thunder is just not matching the intensity of the Trailblazers.

Etan Thomas is looking good comes in and provides some solid defense and positive energy

Roy picks up an early second foul. Now is when the Thunder needs to take advantage and cut into this lead.

Once again with Ollie in the game Harden is playing the point. Green with a big hustle play everyone else stopped when the 24 second clock expired, Green went up and grabbed the rebound.

Score to end the Quarter 16-25 Blazers

Oklahoma City Thunder

vs

Portland Trailblazers

Preview

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The History

Last year OKC jumped out to a 1-0 series lead at home before Portland swept the last three games of the series. If the Thunder can take the first game from Portland again they will be off to a 3-0 start that only the most optimistic fan expected. Portland,meanwhile, is trying to stop a two game skid from turning into a three game losing streak.

The Matchups

Steve Blake v Russell Westbrook

It is hard to stop the quickness of Westbrook; I doubt either Blake or Miller has the ability to prevent Westbrook from getting into the lane. The key to the game will be what he does when he gets there. Greg Oden and LaMarcus Aldridge are likely to clog the lane and if Westbrook starts trying to force a shot up through the "trees" I doubt he will have much luck. On the other hand the perimeter shooters will need to knock down the open shots they get when the penetration forces the defense to collapse in order to win tonight.

Edge  

First Quarter

Early in and the Thunder are looking good. The defensive pressure results in two turnovers but missed shots keep the Thunder from capitalizing early. The Pistons turn it up and jump out to a seven point lead by the time Ben Wallace unleashes a block on Jeff Greens dunk attempt.

Then Krstic pulls down a monster rebound in traffic feeds it ahead to Westbrook who finds Green for a huge dunk, which propels the Thunder on a mini run of their own to cut the lead to two.  Green was really struggling early on. KD is really having trouble with Princes length he is having difficulty getting open shots it seems like every shot is contested and he is having to shoot in a phone booth.

The Pistons have really picked up the defensive intensity here with 2:30 minutes left in the first but aren't really taking advantage of the missed shots by OKC. They still finish the quarter with an 8 point lead.

Collison just came into the game and is looking full of energy tonight; his ankle injury does not appear to be limiting him. Collison and Thomas just got about 800 offensive rebounds and finally get it in the basket. Harden is a little late following Gordon around some cross court screens and the result is a fairly easy basket for Gordon.

We have Ollie, Harden, Durant, Collison, and Thomas on the floor and I struggle to get comfortable with this lineup. Durant is bringing the ball up the court and Ollie lets Bynum just jog down the court and hit a wide open shot

Durant and Green are not playing well; Westbrook has been on the bench with foul trouble already. Not a good first quarter of action. The Thunder looks sluggish except Collison. How bad must Livingston and Weaver be to have Ollie be the first PGish player off the bench? Ollie is terrible on defense and offense.

Score to end the Quarter 16-24 Pistons