RealGM

Russell Westbrook / Thabo Sefolosha / Kevin Durant / Jeff Green / Serge Ibaka

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Raymond Felton / Landry Fields / Wilson Chandler / Danilo Gallinari / Amar'e Stoudemire

Matchup

Amar'e Stoudemire has a stinger in his neck and is officially listed as probable for this game, it sounds like he will play. Toney Douglas is also probable. Nenad Krstic probably won't play, and that's probably a good thing against this team.

The Knicks shoot the ball. Then they shoot the ball some more. After that, they shoot again. They lead the league in 3PA, but they are only just above league average in 3P%. They are prolific at the line as well, fifth in FTA and second in FT% (we know who is first).

Amar'e is going to be a tough cover for our team. He's been effective this year in D'Antoni's system which has the Knicks back to the blistering pace he is known for. I am guessing (hoping) Ibaka will get some time guarding him, but we'll probably also see Jeff Green, and a whole lot of double teaming. Amar'e is still prone to forcing the issue when doubled or facing hedge defense, and although he's been passing more this year, if his teammates aren't making shots he'll probably try to score on his own. I'm guessing Brooks will see how the initial defender fares and if it's not looking good Amar'e will get doubled on the touch.

The rest of the Knicks will be shooting a lot of three pointers and mid range jumpers. They're pretty good at this, too. Raymond Felton has become very good at playing off the high screens that have been poison to the Thunder this season. We'll learn very quickly whether or not our defense is up to the task here, as the Knicks are good at finding perimeter openings and getting shots off.

The good news is that the Knicks haven't been guarding anyone. They have some versatile defensive players on the roster, and Chandler might be a pest on Kevin Durant, but they don't play good team defense and they have nothing in the middle to dissuade Russell Westbrook (and others) from getting to the rim. I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot of free throws on both sides of the court tonight.

Some Numbers

The Thunder have made more free throws this season than their opponents have attempted. That's an amazing thing, and I have not been able to find a team that accomplished this in NBA history. I'm guessing we get to the line a whole bunch against this Knicks defense, and with the pace this game is likely to be played at.

This will be one of only two Thunder games I will get to attend this season so I'm hoping for a show like last year's game at MSG.

The first quarter is going to be brutal for the thunder, Amar'e is going to destroy green until brooks changes up the defense.

The knicks are actually favored in the game, so lets pull the upset

Ibaka better get significant minutes and be matched up against Amare most of the night cause Green will be monstered.

That stat on the free throws is bloody ridiculous and the longer it keeps up the better. Durant hopefully maintains his hot-hand, and we won't need any last minute heroics to pull out the win like last year.

Hopefully this is the game that Westbrook gets his groove back.

If both him and KD play well, the Thunder should be able to overcome Amare dropping 40 on Green.

Knicks fan here.

Sending a double-team at Amare is a great idea since he's terrible at passing out of double teams. He'll either put up a bad shot or commit a turnover. Do that in addition to contesting our barrage of 3pt shots and we'll sputter like we did in our last 2 losses.

I'm thinking this will be the game Westbrook does get his groove back, since he's capable of leading the layup-line that our defense encourages every time.

Going to the game tonight, it should be a good one. Go OKC!

Want to hear a shocker? The Knicks board is having a fit over our trips to the line.

This team isn't fun to watch. they are undisciplined, and take terrible shots. Where is the hustle and defense that was a staple last season?

That was some terrible defense.

Great thread Slick! very informative. Did not know the statistics on the free throws - very nice.

How are the Thunder doing so far? I'm tucked away at work.

Edit* just started the stream for the last shot, sweet hit by Russ!

Ibaka needs to learn to kick it back for a reset after an offensive board. He's not a strong finisher and tries to score on four Knicks players after an offensive board. He gets blocked a thousand times, resulting in a Knicks fast break and multiple scores.

This is why you don't get big minutes Ibaka

Did I just see Westbrook barrel into the lane with 3 Knicks waiting for him?


Bad! Bad!

Once again Harden has been sitting way too long. As far as the defense goes ive come to expect them to show up for the last four minutes....maybe.

Russ is awaful tonight, full of bad descision shots and TO.

great end to the half by Westbrook, 2 clutch baskets. He kept the game within reach. However our teamwork and ball movement has been lacking tonight. Defense has been lackadaisical as well, hopefully it picks up in the 3rd.

westbrook has been bad on offense taking it out of rhythm and looking for his shot too much.

harden has to play more. he's been better than thabo on both ends.

At least Russ took it to the hole then to Draw Amar'e's 3rd. Smart play instead of shooting the jumper.

Good block from Ibaka to lead to a KD dunk also.

They are playing soooooo baaaaaad!!!

Knicks are way too hot.

Can't beat em when they shoot the 3 that well.