RealGM

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

VS.




Andre Miller / Martell Webster / Nicolas Batum / LaMarcus Aldridge / Juwon Howard

Matchup

The matchup everyone (wiff) has been waiting for. A big game for both teams, we're looking to go into the ASG on a feel good six game win streak, Portland probably is looking to at least split the back to back. If it stays close this one could have a playoff type atmosphere, and might even be pertinent in the standings at the end of the year since Portland already took a game from us in OKC.

This is not the same Portland team we saw in November, but they are still dangerous. Andre Miller's better than Steve Blake and has been playing well, Martell Webster / Nicolas Batum are both great defenders who will be guarding Kevin Durant / Russell Westbrook respectively. Webster held KD to his worst game of the year, and Batum's long reach and quick feet will give Russ all sorts of trouble. LaMarcus Aldridge can of course shoot over Jeff Green all day. Juwon Howard's even shooting over 50% and has looked servicable.

The key to this game is to obviousy get Kevin Durant going. He can't have another 3-18 shooting day, we will not have a chance. Second, we must guard the three point line with vigor. Portland has a lot of good three point shooters in the backcourt: Webster, Bayless, Batum, Blake, Fernandez.. they move the ball very well on offense and we'll have to play smart defensively to avoid giving them open looks.

Offensively, I think Nenad Krstic can help a lot on the pick and pop. Juwon Howard isn't exactly, err, mobile. Portland doesn't have a lot of shot blocking with Przybilla / Oden out, so attack the basket and get to the line.

Some Numbers

Kevin Durant's streak of 25 point games will be in serious jeopardy, not only due to the fact that he'll have a good defender on him, but also due to the fact that Portland is one of the slowest teams pace wise, and we're not exactly speedsters either. Possessions will be at a premium in this game, and the whole team must take a quality over quantity attitude toward shot selection.

A Question

Who will step up offensively besides Durant?

Just a note to avoid confusion, I read a tidbit stating that Batum will start on Westbrook and Webster will take Durant..

Oh hey there is a Thunder vs Blazers game tonight. Who knew?

wiff wrote:Oh hey there is a Thunder vs Blazers game tonight. Who knew?

Gonna watch?

Just maybe.

Nice start but 7-0 run by Portland. Batum has had two wide open jump shots, made one of them. The energy is great on defense but we have to watch the Blazer shooters.. they've missed a few gimme's so far.

So far so good.

Nice first quarter.. weathered a PDX run you knew was coming. Too many turnovers, Batum and Blake messed with Russ and he got frustrated. Needs to cool off. Nice to see KD getting his offense, and I LOVE how aggressive Jeff Green was inside and his defense on LMA was nice.

Don't like how our bench is playing, Ibaka's been very ineffective.

serge had an open dunk under the ring and misses a left handed layup....frustrating

Serge should have dunked that but nice to see the funk by Green.

they keep saying durant is 1st in TO's, he is equal second.... not that it really matters

jeff green looking solid, he;s been great the last couple of games. westbrook playing out of control. Defense has been good we just have to find easy ways to score

Horrible end to the half. Really bad

Don't know if you guys noticed but Durant is finally showing the same frustration we all have with Westbrook. At about the 3 minute mark in the 2nd quarter, Westbrook missed out on the Durant on the left side on a transition play. Durant seemed like he had some words for Westbrook and Westbrook had some words back at Durant. This is why the two were benched for the final 2 and half of the 2nd quarter.

Westbrook and Durant were yelling at eachother on a couple of occasions. Is there some beef there or something?

farzi wrote:Westbrook and Durant were yelling at eachother on a couple of occasions. Is there some beef there or something?

I don't know about beef, but Durant knows how to run and fill the lanes with a true PG (DJ Augustin) and IMO Durant is just getting tired of all the missed opportunities due to Westbrook lack of PG skills.

farzi wrote:Westbrook and Durant were yelling at eachother on a couple of occasions. Is there some beef there or something?

First sign of anything.


41-41 at the half. Low scoring game.

I love that Brooks pulled both KD and Russ there. The offense was horrible and they were on different pages, have to send a message and get them playing together on offense. That's the first time Brooks has shown any kind of balls with these kids, and I think it'll pay off in the long run.

Also fantastic half offensively for Jeff Green.

pretty sure westbrook and durant are friends? i'm sure it will pass