RealGM

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

VS




Brandon Jennings / Charlie Bell / Carlos Delfino / Ersan Ilyasova / Dan Gadzuric

Matchup

OKC gets their first national TV action of the year against Milwaukee. Both teams have some injury problems, Milwaukee will be without Andrew Bogut and it looks like Luc Ricard Mbah a Moute might not play either. Both absences are a great boon to the home team as Bogut's an adept center and LRMAM is the Bucks best wing defender. OKC looks to be down three point guards (!) in this one with the injuries to Shaun Livingston, Kevin Ollie, and Kyle Weaver. Recently signed Mike Wilks will probably see some minutes, but I'm guessing Brooks will look more to James Harden / Kevin Durant to bring the ball up and initiate offense when Westbrook is not in the game.

Of course the most interesting matchup is Jennings / Westbrook. I don't see Thabo guarding Jennings because of the latter's quickness, so RW is going to have to turn in an uncharacteristically good defensive game. The Bucks really don't have all that much offensive punch when Jennings doesn't have it going, they seem to get a lot of timely offense by commitee from guys like Luke Ridnour, Ersan Ilyasova, etc. Michael Redd is looking to bounce back as well.

Both teams are young and looking to prove themselves on a national stage. OKC cannot take these guys lightly.

Some Numbers

OKC is 6th in defensive rating. Milwaukee is 5th. Milwaukee will be without a couple of their good defenders in this game, however.

OKC has had the 7th toughest schedule in the league to date, while Milwaukee has had one of the easiest.

Milwaukee is shooting over 38% from three point range, OKC is giving up only about 30%.

A Question

With three point guards hurt do we throw Mike Wilks into the fire or see what James Harden can do with some extended PG minutes?

I hope Wilks sees 5 minutes at most, we can send Harden out at Point if need be.

If we come out with great energy and intensity and share the ball we will win, and after 2 days off we should do that. National stage KD might decide to shoot every time he touches the ball I hope not though. I have noticed lately KD has been passing when doubled which is a great sign.

First time watching the Ex-Sonics. I think it is the first time they have been televised here.

Bring back Bob Swift!

Looks like Redd is going to start. This will put a bit more pressure on the perimeter defense.

Nice start on D!

yep, great energy. We need to keep this up though cant let them come back in it.

Bench play will be key..

Russell Westbrook is horrible on defense. Many of these open jumpers are a result of him switching off his man. Just now he switches off Luke Ridnour (Green ends up guarding him). Ridnour collapses the defense and Delfino is open. I hate that Westbrook ALWAYS does this.

All other Thunder players hedge and stay with their man, Westbrook always switches. Just now Jennings hits a shot off a switch on a pick.

slick_watts wrote:All other Thunder players hedge and stay with their man, Westbrook always switches. Just now Jennings hits a shot off a switch on a pick.

hopefully he learns over time.

Hopefully he does, it's real frustrating to watch. Watch Harden or Sefolosha they will try and fight through every time (depending on the matchup).

Oh God this bench..

DJ White and Serge Ibaka bite on EVERYTHING.

This is ridiculous.

horrible defense by White.

god damnit westbrook. First you miss a wide open Durant for a easy 2, then you waive off Durant for the last shot LOL.

We seem to do well in third quarters.

KEVIN DURANT IS A MONSTER

What a great game from the starters and Harden. Ibaka and White leave a lot to be desired, but both are rookies so that's expected.

I know they were missing Bogut but still GREAT effort all night long by the guys I mentioned. Ball movement was good for the most part but got stale for a stretch and at the end.

9-7 damn that sounds good

Kevin Durant was excellent, Russell Westbrook schooled Brandon Jennings getting to the rim at will.. James Harden is DEFINITELY an asset for this team, to have a guy that consistent from long range. He's shooting 50% from three point range in the last five game and that INCLUDES the 0-10 night against the Lakers.

The effort on defense was put in after the first half. You have to like the way the offense has played the last few games, also.

Great home win and at 9-7 we've locked in a +.500 record for a tough November. Very impressive.