Oklahoma City Thunder @ Milwaukee Bucks 11/20/2010

[slick_watts]

Russell Westbrook / Thabo Sefolosha / Kevin Durant / Serge Ibaka / Nenad Krstic

VS




Brandon Jennings / John Salmons / Luc Ricard Mbah A Moute / Drew Gooden / Andrew Bogut

Matchup

First thing's first: Jeff Green is listed as doubtful for the game with an ankle sprain. Kevin Durant's status is 'uncertain' according to Darnell Mayberry. If he can't go, James Harden will likely start again.

For the Bucks, Carlos Delfino has missed a few games with a neck strain and LRMAM has been starting in his place. Andrew Bogut's surgically repaired elbow has been bugging him recently, contributing to his struggles. I haven't read anything that says he won't play, but he doesn't seem to be 100%.

The Bucks are the worst offensive team in the NBA. They shoot the ball worse than us, they don't get to the line all that much, they're a bit above average on the offensive boards, and their big man is playing like damaged goods on that end. But they do play defense, and they do that pretty damn well. Watching the Bucks reminds me of the Thunder last season only they have one of the best defensive centers anchoring the whole thing (yes, Andrew Bogut is a top defensive center).

The key matchup if Kevin Durant goes will be Durant against LRMAM (or Delfino). Both are good defenders, and the Bucks do a great job with help defense. I watched a recent game and even Corey Maggette looked like he was breaking a sweat guarding someone. Russell Westbrook has a size advantage on Jennings, but Jennings will be a dart on offense again testing our perimeter defense and our team's ability to correctly negotiate screens. Drew Gooden is still an effective player on offense when he wants to be, so this is no day off for Serge Ibaka either. Thabo won't really have anyone to check in this game unless Brooks decides to put him on Jennings.

Some Numbers

At this time last year, the Thunder were 7th in defensive rating and 27th in offensive rating. This season it's almost exactly reversed: we are 6th in offensive rating and 26th in defensive rating. It goes without saying that if this team can figure out a happy medium, they will be a force to be reckoned with.

Aside from last night's fourth quarter which shall never be spoken of again, the team has looked a lot healthier on offense moving the ball and making plays for each other instead of settling into iso-mode. Hopefully this trend continues.

A Question

If Durant is out can we score points against a stingier Bucks defense?

[Trip]

In no way do I want a replay of the 4th quarter last night if are without Durant again. Harden should be more comfortable with tonight's game so he can build on last night. Anyone know if Aldrich is active for this game?

[wiff]

The Bucks are my favorite/dark horse team in the East. I love me some Earl Boykins. I have caught a couple of the Bucks games this year on League pass and Bogut is pretty damn good.

Other than Bogut I'm no too worried about this game. Jennings is nice but Westbrook is nicer. Other than Boykins though this team can't shoot.

For the few of us in here that were Sonic fans, we can remember a time when Boykins was playing for the Thuggets and he competely dismantled the Sonics in OT. He scored 15pts in the OT to crush the Sonics the year they won 52 games.

Here is a video mix of Earl which most of his OT points are highlighted.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRuQx8PrgYc[/youtube]

I think Boykins is my favorite non-Thunder player. Dude is listed at 5'5" 139lbs is reported to be able dunk and bench 315lbs.

Dude is a stud.

[slick_watts]

Aldrich has been a healthy inactive for the last two games in favor of Mullens. Not sure what conclusions to draw from that.

[Balkman32]

What's da deal w/ Kristic? Is he in the lineup?

[dream_catcher_9]

Aldrich has been a healthy inactive for the last two games in favor of Mullens. Not sure what conclusions to draw from that.

Aldrich is a rookie and they wanted to reward Mullens with his hard work.

[slick_watts]

Aldrich has been a healthy inactive for the last two games in favor of Mullens. Not sure what conclusions to draw from that.

Aldrich is a rookie and they wanted to reward Mullens with his hard work.

I know that's what Brooks said but, especially with out injuries, you don't make active / inactive decisions based on how hard someone is working. To me this means Aldrich isn't working hard enough in practice or Brooks likes Mullens more.

[Jellybeans8]

Is Durant playing tonite?

[Balkman32]

What's da deal w/ Kristic? Is he in the lineup?

[slick_watts]

Kevin Durant has been ruled out for tonight's game. James Harden to start in his place.

Nenad Krstic will play.

[dream_catcher_9]

Kevin Durant has been ruled out for tonight's game. James Harden to start in his place.

Nenad Krstic will play.

even though having no Durant sucks, we have learned some things that we might not have before. Ivey is a great fundamental defender and better than Ollie offensively. and if Harden can get things going and get some momentum then this might be a blessing in disguise.

[Trip]

Westbrook better have something left after last night or we are really going to struggle with our offense. The Bucks are going to feed off the many turnovers I think they will be causing. If we do lose it will most likely be because of our lack of care with the ball.

[Krodis]

It's almost like we're a good offensive team when we're not running constant isolations.

[slick_watts]

I love the movement without the ball. Even if Russ keeps it, having guys move without the ball keeps the defense guessing and on their toes.

[Trip]

Offense looks good and we are drawing fouls, exactly what we need to be doing. Will be a W if they put the game in Gooden's hands.

[Trip]

This is what we need from Harden on a regular basis!


Don't tease us Harden.....

[wiff]

Looks like Harden chose "Slump Bustin".

[slick_watts]

Man. We have so many good slashers and mid range shooters that we should consider doing away with all these isolations. The Bucks are a terrific defensive team and Russ has had a very hard time creating his own offense.

We've been scoring on some nice set plays, curls, off screens, pin downs. When Maynor came into this game with the second group we went to basic half court basketball and looked great. I don't think this is something that is exclusive to Maynor because we saw Russ do it too in the first half, but Maynor's inabiltiy to really create his own offense off the dribble consistently makes us have to go to these sets. Watching Thabo around a screen to the rim, Harden handle the ball with Maynor spotting up. It was nice to see.

Somehow Scott Brooks has to figure out how to incorporate these set plays into the team when Kevin Durant and Jeff Green return.

[dream_catcher_9]

Man. We have so many good slashers and mid range shooters that we should consider doing away with all these isolations. The Bucks are a terrific defensive team and Russ has had a very hard time creating his own offense.

We've been scoring on some nice set plays, curls, off screens, pin downs. When Maynor came into this game with the second group we went to basic half court basketball and looked great. I don't think this is something that is exclusive to Maynor because we saw Russ do it too in the first half, but Maynor's inabiltiy to really create his own offense off the dribble consistently makes us have to go to these sets. Watching Thabo around a screen to the rim, Harden handle the ball with Maynor spotting up. It was nice to see.

Somehow Scott Brooks has to figure out how to incorporate these set plays into the team when Kevin Durant and Jeff Green return.

agreed.

[slick_watts]

Ibaka is struggling in this game on both ends. Probably his worst half of basketball since he took over for Green. But probably not as bad as Green's worst halves.