Oklahoma City Thunder

at

Minnesota Timberwolves

Quarter by Quarter observations

First Quarter

The Thunder opened up the quarter playing serious defense and getting good challenges. The surprising hero offensively of the first quarter was Thabo Sefolosha. Sefolosha hit 3-4 shots in the first frame to jump out to 6 points. KD also was on fire the first quarter he was 3-3 for 12 points. Green had an ugly line after 3 straight put backs all missed 2-7 for 4 points but the other side he did get 2 offensive rebounds. The Wolves rallied to cut the Thunder lead down to 7 but it was a team effort no player made more than 1 basket.

Score to end the Quarter 30-23 Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder

vs

Minnesota Timberwolves

Preview

The story so far

The Thunder are off to a league leading 8 game winning streak. The overtime win over the Knicks saw 3 Thunder players play 47 minutes. Fatigue will play a part in how this game goes, I just hope it's not a big part. The Thunder almost got surprised by the New look Knicks, they need to take the old look Timberwolves seriously or they could get bitten. The Timberwolves are going to spend the rest of the season a distance second in the lottery race to New Jersey.

The Matchups

Jonny Flynn v Russell Westbrook

Last time out the rookie Flynn out played Westbrook. Flynn had 10 points on 4-13 shooting and 2 rebounds all of which is not that impressive but he also added 8 assists and only 2 turnovers. Westbrook on the other hand had 9 points on 3-10 shooting 3 rebounds and 9 assists but turned the ball over a game high 7 times. Westbrook was great against the Knicks last night, he was 13 of 23 for 31 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds. Westbrook has improved a lot since the first game against the Wolves, he'll need to show how far he has come on the second half of a back to back.

Edge

Oklahoma City Thunder

at

New York Knicks

Quarter by Quarter observations

First Quarter

 The Thunder are struggling early in this one, maybe the hotel they stayed in was haunted. The defense is just not looking good right now. McGrady is driving the lane and the help defense is not coming over to stop the penetration. Krstic is getting torched by Lee and slow on the rotation he also is 1-3 so not a good first quarter for Krstic. I really thought he would have a much better game than this so far. The Thunder also keep stepping out of bounds and turning the ball over.  Westbrook is getting to the basket and finishing and it's keeping the Thunder at least close.

Score to end the Quarter 31-25 Knicks

Oklahoma City Thunder

at

New York Knicks

Preview

The story so far

What a difference a month makes. When the Knicks came to OKC in January they were only one game out of the Eastern conference playoffs and the Thunder were hanging on by a half game in the West. Now the Knicks have fallen almost completely out of the race in the East, while the Thunder have extended their lead over 9^th to 3 ½ games. Hollingers playoff predictor is putting the Thunder in the 4 seed to host our first playoff series. The Knicks look a lot different than the last time the Thunder played them, but the Thunder should win this one just on defense. The Thunder have 5 games left in February after tonight 2 against Minnesota and one each against San Antonio, Phoenix, and Toronto. All 5 are winnable games which means this win streak the Thunder is on could extend to 13 games before March.

The Matchups

Sergio Rodriguez v Russell Westbrook

Okay so right off the bat how does Rodriguez fit in running the team. The Knicks have had a chance to practice together but this will be their first game since the overhaul at the deadline. Rodriguez was buried on the bench in Sacramento behind Tyreke Evans and Kevin Martin and now gets a chance to show what he can do in every point guards dream offense. November 6.1, December 7.5, January 7.9, and February so far 8.8 there is no better indicator of the fact Westbrook is getting better and better at the point than his assist totals per month. Each month it increases while his turnovers stay about the same. Westbrook's development is one of many factors contributing to the Thunder's success this season. Westbrook also is shooting better and has developed into a nightly triple double threat.

Edge

Oklahoma City Thunder

vs

Dallas Mavericks

Quarter by Quarter observations

First Quarter

The Thunder just shot 25%. I know offense isn't our strong suit but 25%? 1-4 from Westbrook who is getting the hell hacked out of him. 0-4 from Krstic who isn't getting the hell hacked out of him and in fact has had several wide open jumpers that just haven't gone down. KD is 4-10 but he needs some help if the Thunder is going to pull this one out.

Score to end the Quarter 26-16 Mavs

Oklahoma City Thunder

vs

Dallas Mavericks

Preview

The story so far

Since the second matchup between these teams the Thunder have been a team on the rise while the Mavericks have swooned. The first real trade of the season just occurred involving the Mavericks and Washington and this will be the first game Dallas gets to test its new lineup. Haywood liked playing the Thunder so much that when the Wizards got done playing them he moved to a team with two more games against them. Between Caron Butler and Haywood it is easy to see how the Mavericks could get better but it will be a question of chemistry at first. The Thunder need a win over the Mavericks to salvage a chance to split the season series. According to Hollingers Playoff odds the Mavericks and Thunder will be neck and neck in the battle for the four seed making games against them potentially a little more important. How cool would it be for the Thunder to be hosting a playoff series, think about that for a minute, now wipe the drool off your chin.

The Matchups

Jason Kidd v Russell Westbrook

Kidd versus the Kid. Jason Kidd was a last minute selection to the All Star game, he was chosen over Russell Westbrook and that probably has to sting a little. Put that chip up on your shoulder Westbrook and show them why you should have been the selection. In Dallas Durant struggled and the bench really bailed out the Thunder and kept it close enough to win. Tonight Durant will probably have issues again with Marion and Westbrook will need to step up and take good shots and don't turn the ball over.

Edge