Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Miami Heat 01/16/10

[slick_watts]

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

VS.




Rafer Alston / Dwyane Wade / Quentin Richardson / Michael Beasley / Jermaine O'neal

Matchup

After two heart breaking last second losses it'll be a break going up against a Miami Heat team that we beat on their own home court, right? Not so fast.. Miami will give us a lot of matchup problems, O'neal and Beasley are both good scorers and will test our front line defense once again.

Thabo Sefolosha did a great job against Wade in the last meeting, but Miami now has the services of Rafer Alston, a veteran who will probably play better than Mario Chalmers and might do some damage against Westbrook.

At the very least we should see KD play better, Miami doesn't really have a top flight defender to guard him..

Some Numbers

Nenad Krstic is playing better than Jeff Green and it's not even really close.. gonna post more about this sometime later.

A Question

Can Thabo have another great game defensively against Wade?

[slick_watts]

I think it's time to get more than a little bit concerned about Kevin Durant's turnovers. He has four turnovers in the FIRST QUARTER, we are shooting 66% from the field, the Heat are shooting 33% and we're only up 10 because the Heat have a huge advantage in shot attempts. Too many turnovers, gave up too many offensive rebounds..

We're lucky the Heat can't shoot because we'd be in trouble. STOP THE TURNOVERS.

[Clangus]

STOP THE TURNOVERS.STOP THE TURNOVERS.STOP THE TURNOVERS.STOP THE TURNOVERS.STOP THE TURNOVERS.STOP THE TURNOVERS.STOP THE TURNOVERS.STOP THE TURNOVERS.STOP THE TURNOVERS.STOP THE TURNOVERS.

[slick_watts]

I know we're winning by 16 and everything but we've turned the ball over eight times already, and they have an advantage on the offensive boards as well. We're lucky Miami is missing a lot of shots (and free throws..). The defense has been good, but this is a problem seemingly every game with the turnovers and boards. We're not going to shoot 60% from the field very often..

[slick_watts]

Yet another turnover and a three point play coming as a result..

If this keeps up we're going to lose this game. They won't continue shooting below 40% and with all the extra shot attempts they'll win. Unless we take care of the ball. Basic stuff..

[slick_watts]

Half way through the third and we're still shooting 60% from the field.. Kevin Durant is sick tonight from the field. Almost perfect..

[slick_watts]

ESPN boxscore has Russ down for 7TO's.. I've only countd 6, three of which were dropped passes.

I think the OKC score keeper is fudging a bit for KD too I have him down for four TO's.. boxscore says 2.