Oklahoma City Thunder

vs

Washington Wizards

Preview

The History

Washington is coming off a great win over the Cavaliers at home. The Thunder are coming off a disappointing effort down in Orlando against the Magic. When you look at the firepower it's hard to see why this team is 3-7, but only 1 game so far this season has been against a team that did not go to the playoffs last season. Washington is 0-6 when they are held under 100, the Thunder 0-4 when opponents score over 100. To beat the Wizards the Thunder will need to control the pace, play good team defense, and get good shots.  

The Matchups

Gilbert Arenas v Russell Westbrook

When Arenas plays this Wizards team is a much improved team. So far Arenas appears to be healthy after missing all but 2 games last season and 13 the season before. He is averaging 23 points and 6 assists right now despite the quality of competition faced. Westbrook struggled against Orlando going 3-11 with 3 assists and 2 turnovers. With the firepower the Wizards have on offense Westbrook will really be tested tonight on defense.

Edge

Quarter by Quarter observations

First Quarter

 The Thunder can't even hit iron right now. Krstic has at least two misses that didn't even hit the rim, Westbrook has two that didn't even graze the rim and Orlando is up 11. And these aren't even contested shots this is pull up jumpers and pick and roll wide open shots. Carter is looking good, Sefolosha is struggling tonight with Carter's quickness. Jason Williams is also running circles around Westbrook. Well that pretty much sucked, terrible shooting across the board. The Magic just out played the Thunder plain and simple the whole quarter. Howard did whatever he wanted down low, Williams made everyone look like they were running in slow motion, and the Thunder were generally just lazy closing out on perimeter shots.

Score to end the Quarter 28-17 Magic

Oklahoma City Thunder

at

Orlando Magic

Preview

The History

"We're not a good basketball team right now. I've been saying that, but nobody's listening, we're totally predicated on shooting. We do not have any kind of defensive mindset, we don't have much toughness and we're not very smart. So, right now we're not a very good team." Stan Van Gundy after Orlando's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder Nov 8^th. In that game the Thunder shot an absurd 57% from the field, out rebounded the Magic 45-30, and posted matched the Magic in blocks 2-2. So what I am saying is don't expect that again. On the plus side while Orlando gets back Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, and Ryan Anderson they lose Jameer Nelson. That's a lot of firepower that was missing the first game.

The Matchups

Jason Williams v Russell Westbrook

Jason Williams was 0-3 in OKC but did have 5 assists and 0 turnovers, so a great game? No. A good game? Yeah I'll go with that. Westbrook had 10 assists and only 2 turnovers before he started to get careless late in a game that was pretty much decided. He still finished with 10 assist and 5 turnovers for a nice, if not spectacular, assist to turnover ratio. 5-12 would not normally be considered a good shooting night but he did go 3-4 from downtown and 5-12 is a lot better than any of the Magic shot. All in all in the magical beatdown Westbrook finished with an unbelievable +41.

Edge

Quarter by Quarter observations

First Quarter

 The Thunder are getting loose with the ball, first Westbrook leaves his feet and tries to make a pass, now Durant tries to throw a cross court pass which Wade picks off. This Heat team loves to pick off passes so you have to take care of the ball and make sure your passing lanes are clear, right now the Thunder are not doing that.

Wade took advantage of the screen to beat Thabo to the baseline, Next trip down Krstic did a much better job denying the baseline and Wade had to pass out. Thabo is all over the place helping on defense.  It is amazing how much he can help off Wade and still get back into position to challenge on Wade.

The Thunder are still having issues with transition defense, it was really noticeable against Houston and the Heat just took advantage of it. I don't know how you lose Wade in transition but Thabo got caught under the Heat basket and no one picked up Wade.

The Durantula had a nice first quarter 5-7 from the field 4-4 from the line and 5 rebounds. Also having a nice first quarter Thabo Sefolosha 3 rebounds 2 assists and held Wade to 2-7 from the field.

Score to end the Quarter 25-17 Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder

at

Miami Heat

Preview

The History

The Heat have built their 7-2 schedule by beating one good team and a lot of bad teams. The two losses came to Cleveland and Phoenix while the one win over a quality team was over Denver at home. Does this mean the Heat are overrated? I don't think so but it is interesting to think about. This is the type of team the Thunder are typically able to play with. A go to scorer that the Thunder can put Thabo on, this team struggles when Wade struggles and if anyone can make Wade struggle its Sefolosha. The Thunder are coming off a terrible home loss to the Clippers, so if they can take out a little anger on the Heat that would help as well. Durant appeared to find his groove, after struggling much of the first part of the season, last game against the Clippers so if he keeps on a roll and can get some help from Krstic, Green, Harden, and Westbrook the Thunder can win a good one on the road.

The Matchups

Mario Chalmers v Russell Westbrook

Two sophomore point guards face off tonight in Chalmers and Westbrook. While Westbrook was trying to gain rookie of the year honors last year Chalmers was toiling in Miami largely ignored. But should that have been the case? Was Westbrook head and shoulders above Chalmers? I think this one is closer than you would think. Westbrook has the huge edge in rebounds but Chalmers had more steals and fewer turnovers while also shooting better from the field. This season Westbrook has had good games and bad games but is really on pace to reproduce these numbers with slight improvements in shooting %'s, while Chalmers is on pace to drastically improve his shooting %'s while keeping his other numbers about the same. So the story of the game, if the good Westbrook shows the Thunder have a chance if the bad Westbrook shows.... Season totals from last year

Edge  

Quarter by Quarter observations

First Quarter

 Both teams have started out ice cold KD, Westbrook, and Green have all had open looks that were just a bit off. Fortunately the Clippers also have been cold.

Krstic with the nice post move and gets the bucket.

Baron Davis is really trying to figure out what he can and can't do with Westbrook on him, so far the answer is not much.

Thabo gets the pass and drives into the lane where he is fouled.

Westbrook is finding the open man and playing under control.

First post up by Kaman of Krstic. Krstic puts a body on him and keeps him from backing him down, Kaman passes out of the post.

Westbrook is not shooting well he is 0-4, but he is dishing the assists and generally making the right decisions.

Kaman is 4-5, a strong efficient effort; the Thunder will need to step up the defensive intensity down low to stay in this game.

Score to end the Quarter 26-23 Clippers