Oklahoma City Thunder

at

Milwaukee Bucks

Preview

The History

When Milwaukee came to OKC most of the talk was about the Bucks rookie Jennings, when they left the talk was about Westbrook's defense. This was the first game I saw the defense Westbrook is capable of when he is really on. Jennings came in hoping for another 50 point outburst, and left with a 4-12 14 point night. The Bucks came into the OKC game 8-6 looking to go on a run to help their playoff chances. Since then they have gone 4-12 losing to such teams as Detroit, Washington twice, and Charlotte. The Thunder were 9-7 and fresh off a dramatic victory in Utah, same story a little later in the season. The Thunder are again coming off a great win over Utah this time at home after a great finish. The Thunder have a chance to go on their first 6 game win streak tonight and solidify their playoff position.  

The Matchups

Brandon Jennings v Russell Westbrook

Westbrook gave the rookie a welcome to the NBA moment last game. Jennings was held to 14 points on 4-12 shooting, 3 assists, and 3 turnovers. Westbrook on the other hand was able to get into the lane with ease he finished the night with 20 points on 6-15 shooting, with 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and only 2 turnovers. The win over Utah was Westbrook's third straight game with 10 assists and would have been his third straight double double, but he finished with only 8 points. With Bogut in the middle tonight the layups will probably not be as easy for Westbrook tonight but if he can start hitting that 15 footer he can force Bogut to show on penetration and leave Krstic and Collison open under the basket.

Edge

Quarter by Quarter observations

First Quarter

After one the Jazz lead 24-22. The Thunder are getting easy open shots by cutting under the basket. Collison has two and Green had one so far. Durant and Westbrook both appeared to get injured in the quarter. Durant never left the game and Westbrook got some treatment on the side after Maynor came in. Krstic continues his steller play, he has 4 rebounds in 7 minutes and shot 2-3. Green has played some good defense but is struggling finishing right now. Harden came in and made a nice three as the shot clock expired. If Maynor has to play extended minutes tonight that would not be terrible, he was probably the best point guard on the floor last time these two teams played. Westbrook and Sefolosha are a combined 0-5. Williams got off to a fast start in the previous matchup but so far tonight the Thunder have done a good job of taking him out of his flow. He only has 2 assists and is 1-3 from the floor. Boozer is finding the open spots in the Thunder defense again he is 4-4 already but isn't getting much help from the rest of his team.

Score to end the Quarter 24-22 Jazz

Oklahoma City Thunder

vs

Utah Jazz

Preview

The History

104-94, That's where we left it in Utah. Now the Jazz get a chance for redemption in OKC. The Jazz were in the middle of a big 6 game home stand in which they went 5-1. The Thunder put an end to a three game Jazz winning streak in the first match, this time the Thunder come in on a 4 game winning streak of their own looking to pass Utah with a win for the eight seed and third in the Northwest division. This will also be Eric Maynor's first game against the team that drafted him.

The Matchups

Deron Williams v Russell Westbrook

The first game I thought this would be a big advantage for the Jazz. Williams is a great point guard and Westbrook was still learning his position. Now Westbrook is playing great, he has eliminated most of his turnovers and is doing a great job of distributing the ball. In his last 5 games Westbrook only has one game with more than 2 turnovers. His assist to turnover ratio is 4.18 to 1 in the last five, he also has posted double doubles in his last two games. In the first matchup Williams was checked by Sefolosha, who did an excellent job of slowing him. Williams went 5-14 and had 7 turnovers to go with his 9 assists. The Thunder sure could use another 5-14 night from Williams tonight so lets hope Sefolosha eats his wheaties today because on any given day Williams can takeover a game.

Edge Push

Against the Nets KD put up 40 points and Sebastian on netsarescorching provides a great breakdown of how some of those points happened. If you like seeing video breakdown this is a great one.

http://netsarescorching.com/2009/12/30/home-movies-kevin-durants-free-points/

First Quarter

 The Thunder are starting out the game flat and lazy. They just don't have much energy right now. The Thunder didn't score until nearly 3 minutes were gone from the first quarter and were down by 6 4 minutes in. The Thunder built up a lead and then let it slip away as the Wizards got on a roll and cut the lead back to 3. KD started 5-7 for 14 points and has looked good early on both on offense and defense. The Thunder are doing a good job of taking care of the basketball early in the game which is good to see after the lacksidaisical way they played the first quarter in New Jersey. Westbrook is 1-5 from the field but he already has 5 assists and 4 rebounds. One of the good things to see in this game is 0 fouls in the first quarter. The Thunder has not committed a foul yet.

Score to end the Quarter 30-25 Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder

vs

Washington Wizards

Preview

The History

The Thunder have started the easy portion of their schedule the right way with 3 straight wins. Tonight they play a dangerous Washington team at home. KD and Green will be returning home for the first time this season and will be looking to hand the hometown team a third straight loss. In OKC the Wizards were handed a 127-108 loss that was close for three quarters before the Thunder pulled away late in the third and put it away in the fourth. Quite a bit has changed since the Wizards last met the Thunder Kevin Ollie has been replaced by Kyle Weaver who was replaced by Shaun Livingston who was replaced by Eric Maynor, Serge Ibaka is more likely to come off the bench than Etan Thomas, and Nick Collison will play more than 2 minutes. The Wizards have had more time to gel, the OKC game was Antawn Jamisons second game back, although they will probably be missing guard Mike Miller.

The Matchups

Gilbert Arenas v Russell Westbrook

Westbrook drew the Arenas assignment last game so there is little reason to assume he won't again. Westbrook did okay defensively he held Arenas to 7-20 shooting with 8 assists and 3 rebounds. Offensively Westbrook was hot from 3 he went 3-6 from beyond the arc and 6-12 from the field, he also got to the line 12 times, had 7 assists, and 4 rebounds. Westbrook has been doing a better job lately of taking care of the ball so a repeat of his 6 turnover night is unlikely. With the way Westbrook has been playing lately I am inclined to give the nod to Westbrook in this one.

Edge