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This game is so big I'm putting the game thread up a day early so I don't forget.

In a nutshell: a win against Utah on the road accomplishes two things. First, it means we sweep the series, gaining confidence against a potential opponent in the playoffs. Second, it puts us back into the race for the division.

A loss to Utah means we fall almost neck and neck with Portland, who has a chip shot against the Clippers on Wednesday. It'd make the @POR game later on a likely fight for the right not to play the Lakers in the first round.

I like our chances against Utah. We've shown the ability to score against this team. Our defense has been curiously absent lately, though. We'll need to play defense against them the way we did in our win on the road earlier in the season.

We've got a road win in Boston and Dallas. Make it three and we might be front runners for the division.

This game excites me. We are playing great ball right now. Although I wish our D was tighter to start games.

pretty sure we're 3-0 against the jazz so its a good matchup for us

one of those games that counts for double

Agreed. Our defense has not been good at all.

But i am still amazed how Durant has improved his defense.

He looks like a completely different player on this video.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBQRjQDVrwk[/youtube]


What do you think is the reason for this improvement?

I think Scott Brooks focusing on defense in the off-season was a huge factor. The addition of thabo sefolosha has also contributed a little bit IMO.

TS2MC13 wrote:Agreed. Our defense has not been good at all.

But i am still amazed how Durant has improved his defense.

He looks like a completely different player on this video.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBQRjQDVrwk[/youtube]


What do you think is the reason for this improvement?

I think Scott Brooks focusing on defense in the off-season was a huge factor. The addition of thabo sefolosha has also contributed a little bit IMO.

This is true. I mean we had Dmase and Weaver filling in that role before Thabo and both were pretty solid at it, but Thabo has really made his position (defensively) a strength
I tihnk the Krystic acquisition was underrated too. Since we got Nenad, we have won a whole lot mre games. Really it is all the little things though all these things add up - Player improvement, better system etc etc.

I'm putting money on my Thunder.

Eleqtrique wrote:I'm putting money on my Thunder.

Really? Where can you bet and what are the odds?
How much money do you put on?

Hey guys, Jazz fan.


I'd wish you luck tonight, but luck's the last thing you need...the Thunder are a solid team and in the near future will be competing for titles IMO. Hopefully we can steal one from you tonight, just this once.

I think Kirilenko is out again so expect a big game from Durant

Rebound the ball guys!!!

Damn, whats happening again on the defensive end?
We cant seem to make any stops.

Nice closeout of the quarter.
Collison and Ibaka will be much needed in this game against the Boozers, Millsaps, Okurs and Derons down low.
Also, would be nice to keep their PGs in fould trouble, so lets take the ball to them.

49-50

Deron and Memo are killing us so far, but other than that we're fine
Durant for another 40!!

Collison and Ibaka on the floor together is a much better defensive pairing I have realized. and our offense continues to sizzle.

I think we're in a decent position here as long as the starters come out and play better than they played to start the game. This is a situation where I wouldn't mind Brooks making an adjustment because our starting five got destroyed in the beginning.

Have to cut down the turnovers and keep them from getting second chance points. The Jazz are in this game because of the rebounds and turnovers, we held them to a low shooting %.

Decent start. Serge looking great on both ends and Durant is really looking good. Some stops on D-Will and we'll win this easily (easier said than done). We also have to ensure we get the d-boards.

On a side not LeBron scored 19 tonight and that put both players on 2258 after 76 games. This is durants 77th game so anything 30 or over will give him the lead (If i've done the math right).

I'd really like to see Serge play the first 4 minutes of this half to give the team the energy kick start that we often need.

Their entire offense is deron right now. Find a way to stop him and we win

fallacy wrote:Their entire offense is deron right now. Find a way to stop him and we win

god damn....

put in Etan Thomas to punch him in the face??

Lets go Thunder!!