Oklahoma City Thunder @ Los Angeles Lakers 11/22/09

[slick_watts]

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

@




Derek Fisher / Kobe Bryant / Ron Artest / Pau Gasol/ Andrew Bynum

Matchup

Definitely not an ideal matchup; LAL comes with two legitimate seven footers who will give our front court fits. If we are to have any chance in this game Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, Etan Thomas etc. will have to be tough on defense and the boards. Additionally, it would be a good idea to attack the bigs in this game much in the way Kevin Durant got Dwight Howard into foul trouble against Orlando. Pau Gasol looked fantastic in his first game back and Andrew Bynum was very effective in the previous overtime game. Bynum has an ankle injury that it looks like he will play through.

Thabo Sefolosha will have to have another good defensive game against Kobe Bryant. The only real favorable matchup that could be exploited here is Russell Westbrook against Derek Fisher. If RW brings his thinking cap to this one and can break down the LAL defense we'll get open shots (and hopefully make them!).

Some Numbers

Despite the last two defensive debacles, OKC is still 6th in the league in defense rating, and we are approaching the middle third of the pack in offensive rating as well (21st).

Russell Westbrook is currently sporting a 19.2 PER, good for 7th in the league among starting point guards. He's also shooting 37.5% from three point range.

Kevin Durant is 11 for 51 (21%) from three point range so far this season.

A Question

Can OKC possibly hold the LAL front court in check?

[wiff]

I don't have a good feeling about this game.

Obviously the Lakers are the team to beat in the West. Solid bigs, great wings, deep bench with Lamar on it. Really the only piece they don't have is a PG who can play D.

This game is in LA. Lakers win by 14 tonight

[dream_catcher_9]

I'm thinking a blowout and not in our favor. If we bring great energy and effort we will lose by less than 5.

[KidDelicious]

i think were gonna get wrecked the second time around... =/ i mean not to sound pessimistic but we wont have another amazing game from green and kobe is gonna come out with a chip on his shoulder this time around. and gasol is back, it doesnt look good. the lakers when healthy are argurably the best team in this league, and even with all of our improvement they are still a really really good team

but anyway i still cheer for my boys maybe im wrong and we can win. GO THUNDER!!

[V for Vendetta]

With Gasol coming back and played well last game. This game is going to be really tough. Probably we are going to lose it. But it's not a big deal. We are not in their level.(for now)

[Clangus]

im going to tip an OKC win.

We'll surprise them coming out the gate and out of teh half.

*yes i know that its not likely, but I can never say I think they will lose*

[Joel Embust]

I hate it when Durant plays like this. Taking stupid shots from distance and then commit a dumb foul.

[slick_watts]

Another horrible start. Kevin Durant is throwing up bricks, no defense, weak on the boards. Heading for a loss!

[Clangus]

not a great start.
hopefully Brooks gets them in thier heads in the right place after the timout

[Joel Embust]

Another terrible attempt by KD.

[Joel Embust]

This team is playing like the Idaho Stampede.

[Clangus]

@#$%@# not enjoying this at all

[slick_watts]

This is ridiculous. Nobody is even trying on defense.

[dream_catcher_9]

Where the **** is the defense?

[Joel Embust]

Playing like it's summer league.

[slick_watts]

What a joke.

[KidDelicious]

were playing just awful and getting no boards

[Joel Embust]

Nice looking jumper Serge!

[slick_watts]

Big teams really abuse us on the boards, Krstic, Green, Durant all below average. We're getting killed.

[KidDelicious]

were playing just awful and getting no boards, bynum is looking to have a big game and kd is chucking i hate days like this