Oklahoma City Thunder @ Orlando Magic 11/18/09

[slick_watts]

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

@




Jason Williams / Vince Carter / Mickael Pietrus / Rashard Lewis / Dwight Howard

Matchup

Another potential revenge game. Orlando will be missing Jameer Nelson for this one, but Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, and Ryan Anderson will be in the lineup (all missed the blowout loss). With those guys returning it's even more vital to guard the three point line and not give up uncontested shots. Orlando plays inside out basketball and they want to be able to get their outside shooing going. Take that away and the game is probably within reach.

With Nelson out Westbrook will be guarded by Jason Williams, never much of a defender even in his best of years. Westbrook's had trouble putting together a string of good performances, this is one of those nights we'll need him.

Ball movement will be critical in this game. With Orlando healthy, we're not about to win a jump shooting contest.

Some Numbers

After a rough start, KD's FG% is slowly creeping back up, now approaching 45%.

Thabo Sefolosha is lucky he's a good defender, because he's 0 for his last 12 from three point range. Perhaps it's time to stop shooting those threes.

OKC is now third in the league in defensive rating,

A Question

Jeff Green will probably be guarded by Rashard Lewis in this game, does he take advantage of this matchup and step up?

[Joel Embust]

Great matchup. The Thunder have guys who can guard all of their guys except for Dwight Howard. Green can guard Lewis on the perimeter, Sefolosha is our best perimeter defender and should be able to contain Vince, J-Will won't beat Westbrook off the dribble, Durant is a freak of nature and should add a few blocks to his total by just contesting Air France's threepoint attempts.


Last time the Thunder were on a 2nd of a b2b they couldn't beat the Clippers, hoping for a different scenario tonight.

[Clangus]

Here is how I see the matchups

Westbrook V Williams
Westbrook is too fast, too strong and a good enough defender to decisively win this battle Advantage Thunder

Thabo V Carter
Thabo can hassle Kobe and Wade into poor shooting nights then he can certainly do it to Vince. Vince wins this battle, but Thabo forces him into a poor shooting night Advantage Magic

Durant V Peitris
Peitris is Orlando's version of Thabo, he gave Leboon issues and annoyed Kobe. The difference is that Kobe doesn't have KD's Size and Lebron doesn't have KD's shooting touch. "peaches" might find himself outmatched here.. KD will have to work hard all night, but I see him doing better than Vince. Advantage Thunder

Green V Lewis
Lewis' mobility is usually his advantage over opposing power forwards, he wont have that tonight. But the same can be said for Green. Lewis is generally the better scorer, but he is still getting into NBA groove, So i say this one is a push. No Advantage


Howard V Krystic

Howard all night long. Our guys did a good job frustrating him last time, but that was because his out side shooters were not playing. We might see IBLOCKYA get some minutes tonight to try and compete with Howard's athleticism. The only this we have going for us is if Krystic can hit his 17 footer's and force Howard away from the basket a bit, it will certainly help our perimeter guys Advantage ORlando

Bench: We have nothing. Harden will be ok, but we really are not as deep as they are. Advantage Orlando


I still think we take this. Thier distributor Williams should get smashed by Westbrook and make it difficult for them to get into a decent flow.
Usually Carter would take off some of the play making duties, but he is in for a rough night, so hopefully we can negate that and our back court could be the difference!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO THUNDER!

[slick_watts]

Orlando's come to play, another slow start. Not a good sign!

[Joel Embust]

What a horrid start.

[slick_watts]

Yeah offense is pretty ugly.

[Joel Embust]

Haha, Durant bricking two from the FT-line. Yeah, throw in the white flag.

[Joel Embust]

We need a man at center.

[Joel Embust]

Never go to Etan inside, he puts it up like a little bitch.

[slick_watts]

Feeling like Orlando may get their revenge in this one. Nothing doing on offense, this team can't score at all when the jumpers are not falling..

[Clangus]

horrid start. Hopefully we can creep back into it.
Just get the lead down to 5 by half time guys!

RYAN F******G ANDERSON!

[slick_watts]

Nah this one's a loss. Tired legs, bad defense. Not going to win this game.

On the bright side, this might be a great opportunity to see Serge Ibaka, D.J. White et al in garbage minutes.

[Clangus]

Yeah Ibaka V Dwight for a few ins may be cool

[slick_watts]

May be cool? Ibaka will foul out in 20 seconds.

[Clangus]

May be cool? Ibaka will foul out in 20 seconds.

HAHAHHAH

20 seconds of pure awesome though!

[slick_watts]

Still don't understand the love for Serge Ibaka, this guy looks lost almost all the time. Lots of guys are athletic, he has to learn how to play basketball. Should be in D-League.

[Clangus]

Still don't understand the love for Serge Ibaka, this guy looks lost almost all the time. Lots of guys are athletic, he has to learn how to play basketball. Should be in D-League.

You're just old and cranky Slick.

[slick_watts]

Sorry, I'm experiencing severe Gortat envy..

[slick_watts]

How about James Harden? It's unfortunate everyone else is playing so poorly, he's looking good (aside from that dumb fast break bounce pass).

[Clangus]

yeah Harden gets a bum wrap. He doesn't put up amny stats, but i think he is quite good and effective when on the floor. I think he is a better distributor that Westbrook.