Oklahoma City Thunder @ Memphis Grizzles 12/11/09

[slick_watts]

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

@




Mike Conley / O.J. Mayo / Rudy Gay / Zach Randolph / Marc Gasol

Matchup

Memphis has been on a roll lately. They have a very 'diverse' starting five, with decent outside shooting, slashing ability, and inside presence. Their front court is big, and good on the boards. Memphis will really test our defense.

Defensively, the Grizzlies aren't that good. Marc Gasol is OK in the middle, but elsewhere they kind of struggle. They are near the bottom of the league in defensive rating, and their two forwards aren't exactly known for having consistent effort on that side of the ball.

We're going to have to play a slow, controlled game. This isn't a team to get into a shoot out with.

Some Numbers

Russell Westbrook is now shooting sub 40% from the field (.396).

Kevin Durant has made his last 33 free throws.

Another Kevin Durant note.. he's been especially deadly on Fridays. In five Friday games, KD is putting up 31/9 on 52% shooting.

A Question

Will Russ start to put it together from the field against a porous Memphis defense?

[SD2042]

I can tell you the keys of both sides.

For the T-heads to win

They would have to attack the post at will through slashing and drawing fouls as you addressed with the Grizz subpar defense on hand. Also, Thabo would have to turn in a good defensive effort against Mayo and limiting his pts on the floor. KD would have to outplay Rudy and force Rudy to the outside to shoot jumpers. Also win the battle of the boards against the Grizzlies.


For the Grizz to win

Mayo would have to overcome Thabo's defensive tactics and score his ass off @ the Forum. Rudy being able to keep a balance attack between slashing to the post and shooting mid-range jumpers. ZBo doing his usual biz by stretching out the offense and hitting the boards. The Beast would have to turn in a great effort on both ends of the floor against Krstic by manhandling him on Xs' and Os'.

Whoever starts out strong from the jumpoff and maintains that energy for 48mins will determine who will win the game. Best of luck and may the best team win.

[slick_watts]

Nice start on offense.. Marc Gasol doesn't seem too interested in challenging Nenad Krstic on those pick and pops.

Memphis has missed a couple open shots. Defense has to make sure to close out against this team.

[slick_watts]

Nice first quarter. Harden had Westbrook syndrome on a couple of those drives.

Hopefully the bench will be up to snuff.

[slick_watts]

Nick Collison is beasting!

Third time's a charm for James Harden.. if nothing else Thabeet can block some shots.

[slick_watts]

Hey what a surprise Ibaka comes in and is called for the foul.

[slick_watts]

Two mistakes by Ibaka on defense leading to Gasol baskets.. and a turnover..

[slick_watts]

Good first half.. could have had a bigger lead I guess, but you can't have everything.

KD was great on both sides, Westbrook had a good half on offense.

I was unhappy with Westbrook's defense on Conley, and his defense in general. Ibaka was not very good either when he was put in, Gasol had two easy baskets on him when he wandered away to help on defense. Nick Collison played well. James Harden was a bit out of control and Sefolosha played a lot of productive minutes.

[slick_watts]

Well that was certainly quick. Zach Randolph is killing Jeff Green on the boards. Green is a complete liability against the bigger teams in the league, and he can't even shoot to make up for it. How anyone can support this guy as a regular PF is beyond me.

[dream_catcher_9]

we suck

[slick_watts]

Nice win on the road.. Memphis fought back into the game (Jeff Green beaten senseless by Zach Randolph.. man) but Russ made it happen when the game was close and made some great plays toward the end.

Nice to be three games over .500!

[dream_catcher_9]

Nice win on the road.. Memphis fought back into the game (Jeff Green beaten senseless by Zach Randolph.. man) but Russ made it happen when the game was close and made some great plays toward the end.

Nice to be three games over .500!

I'm getting more and more frustrated with Jeff Green. He just isn't capable of playing PF with any consistency. I hope Ibaka or White emerges so we can put him on the bench as a 6th man.

[wiff]

I just got done watching the game what a great first half.

Then ZBO went nuts gave a good scare but Durant slammed the door. It is scary to think about how good this team can be in 4 or 5 years.

The Thunder are going to make the playoffs. And they will only keep getting better for the next decade. Just about every guy on this team can give you something. Sure you have your superstar in Durant, and Westbrook may not be at a superstar level, but I can't see this guy missing many All Star games in the next ten years.

I like Green a lot but he is not a PF. But he could be a great 6th man.

Thabo is one of the best defensive stoppers in the league right now. What he did to Mayo was fantastic. He was all over him and he brings intangebles. But he gives even the best players in the league fits ala Kobe. Every championship teams needs a guy like Thabo. I hope he eventually becomes more consistent behind the arch.

I have really grown to like Hardens game. He is a decent scorer and I only see him improving in that area. But he is so good with the ball and making the right passes for the right play. As his game continues to grow he is a nice 3rd option, possible 2nd option.

Hey what a surprise Ibaka comes in and is called for the foul.

Two mistakes by Ibaka on defense leading to Gasol baskets.. and a turnover..

And you're right Ibaka came in and made a couple mistakes. He's 20 but he also had a nice block and played better "D" than those two mistakes. It's only a matter of "when" Ibaka moves to the starting front court not "if".

I liked the line up of Krystic, Ibaka, Green, Harden and Westbrook when Durant is off the floor. I hope Brooks goes back to it.

[slick_watts]

The play where Thabo fought through a screen to swat Mayo from behind was great.