RealGM

Russell Westbrook / Thabo Sefolosha / Kevin Durant / Jeff Green / Nenad Krstic

VS.




Jameer Nelson / Vince Carter / Mickael Pietrus / Ryan Anderson / Dwight Howard

Matchup

Things don't get any easier for OKC going up against Orlando. Orlando has one of the deepest teams in the league, even without Rashard Lewis in the lineup. If OKC is going to have any chance of winning this game they must take care of the ball and get off to a good start. There is going to be a significant disadvantage when the subs come in.

The Magic are the number one ranked offense in the league, they have everything you need on that side of the ball with good three point shooting, good ball movement, and of course an inside presence. They shoot a very high percentage from the field and will get their points no matter how good the defense is.

Someone else is going to have to get involved offensively for OKC to win this game. If any of our 'big three' has a stinker it's probably not going to end well.

Some Numbers

Russell Westbrook is getting media love for his impressive 18/8/5/1 line, but he's still averaging five turnovers a game and must do a more consistent job of getting others involved in the offense. He is shooting 50% from the field, though, which is very encouraging.

OKC's eFG% for the team is .459, 25th in the league. Orlando is number one at over .530.

A Question

Is there any way OKC can win this one?

Oops, ignore those starters for Orlando it looks like Ryan Anderson and Vince Carter are out, and will be replaced by Brandon Bass and J.J. Reddick respectively. Also, Mickael Pietrus is hurting and if he doesn't go Matt Barnes will play.

Definitely a fortuitous turn of events.

It's Redick

Matt Barnes gets the start at SF for ORL.

It'll be Nelson, Redick, Barnes, Bass, Howard tonight. Bench only four deep due to injuries.

Over under tonight is 193, and Magic are favored by 6 in Vegas. Should be a fun game.


Edit: Magic have Pietrus, Gortat, Jason Williams, and Anthony Johnson off the bench, if you were curious.

This is what is called playing to the compettion I guess.

Magic are a great offensive team, score a lot from deep. We can't defend the perimeter, we can't defend anything. That's why I'm going for a high scoring game.


Magic 110
Thunder 103

Good defense for the first six minutes, JJ Reddick got two wide open looks though that he thankfully missed. On offense, it's looking alright. I don't like RW taking those jumpers in transition or Thabo attempting to create his own offense at all.

Man JJ Reddick now has had three wide open three point attempts all missed, getting kind of lucky.

The ball movement on offense has been a lot better today so far.

slick_watts wrote:The ball movement on offense has been a lot better today so far.

agreed, much better

Shaun Livingston is awful why is he playing.

Keeping it close early, thahs a good sign.

EDIT: Oh I read the score wrong - we are leading - WOOOT!

What eh over/under on Ibaka/white getting any burn tonight ?

Harden with a great play on defense, then a great pass to Thomas for the easy bucket.

Decent first quarter, RW did a great job getting the ball around but I still hate to see him take mid range jumpers with better shooters on the floor.

James Harden played some good minutes, but Shaun Livingston is basically invisible on the court when he's out there. If he's not playing point guard I don't understand the utility of having him play at all since he can't shoot or really defend.

The defense has been so-so; Orlando missed a ton of open shots. They're shooting 38% from the field and that will not continue. Also they shot 16 free throws in the quarter which is nuts.

Oh, and KD, Green and Krstic all have two fouls

This is where the game could really be lost, even with all the injuries Orlando's bench is 10x better.

slick_watts wrote:Oh, and KD, Green and Krstic all have two fouls

hahah Slick - why is that a smile?

Thoms adn Harden also have 2 apiece. If this continues - we really might see Ibaka!

I like some of the little things James Harden does but he's supposed to be a guy that can score and he's really underwhelming in that regard.

Clangus wrote:Thoms adn Harden also have 2 apiece. If this continues - we really might see Ibaka!

Or Ryan Bowen.

eeek I hate the look of the current line-up

Thabo, Harden Livvy, Ollie and Collison?

Surely that isn't right?