Game 5: OKC Thunder @ Los Angeles Lakers 04/27/10

Post #1 » by **slick_watts** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:49 pm

I think everyone's been waiting for the Lakers to flip the switch, find another gear, and pummell us. This seems like the kind of game that they've been waiting for. Many are comparing this series to the Lakers' series against Houston last year. I think it's very different.

For one, the Lakers performed well in the playoffs last season and the end of the regular season when they got Bynum back. They were 12-3 to end the year last year. The dispatched the Utah Jazz, taking all four of their wins by double figures. Their two wins against the Houston Rockets when the series was tied up were by double figures.

The Thunder have been in all of these games. Even the losses were close.

We've already seen a lot of the Lakers' best from this season. Andrew Bynum is producing. Pau Gasol is producing. Kobe is not playing much worse than at times this year when he was visibly in pain (January, the three April games). Lamar Odom hasn't really had a great season offensively, and Ron Artest is a historically poor shooter in the playoffs (27% 3pt last season's playoffs).

So I think this game is more on our team than it is on their team. If we can bring the bench production, focus, and defensive game plan from OKC to the Staples Center I think we win this game unless Kobe has a throw back or the Lakers shooters start going nuts. I think it's our game to lose, and if we do lose, it won't be because the Lakers are a much better team, it'll be because we didn't play to our level we've shown we can play to.

Air Durant35 · Post #2 » by **Air Durant35** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:18 pm

Yeah with all the national attention the team is getting, I feel like the pressure is on them to take advantage of a struggling Lakers squad and win the series. I think Scotty Brooks has the Lakers figured out- just got to make sure we dont get into foul trouble, our bench contributes, and Jeff Green contributes!

Batmanz · Post #3 » by **Batmanz** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:44 pm

This game could go either way..I hope it goes in our favour, then it'll be OKC in 6!

-I'd seriously start Collison over Green
-Collison could really annoy Pau or Green needs to come out aggressive and get him in foul trouble
-need to come out strong, can't afford a slow start tonight

I'm still ticked off at the Utah game, I can't wait to eliminate them next round!

Let's GO!!

dream_catcher_9 · Post #4 » by **dream_catcher_9** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 10:14 pm

This team has come so far this season. All I want is great effort and resiliency and I will be happy with the outcome. You better believe LA will give us a couple upper cuts, its how we respond that will determine who wins this game.

Geoff35 · Post #5 » by **Geoff35** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 10:58 pm

I love watching your guys team and really hope they pull this out.

Unfortunately, I feel like the they will be playing against the refs as well tonight... and their aggressive, leave it all out on the floor, type of play won't be rewarded as it should be... while the Lakers will get calls just for being... the lakers. But I'll be pullin for ya. go thunder!

Cold Crush 24 · Post #6 » by **Cold Crush 24** » Tue Apr 27, 2010 11:38 pm

Bucks fan here. Love what you guys are doing. Go Thunder.

DBrimstone · Post #7 » by **DBrimstone** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 12:46 am

Cold Crush 24 wrote:Bucks fan here. Love what you guys are doing. Go Thunder.

Suns fan agreeing with the Bucks fan. Good luck tonight

23MJ · Post #8 » by **23MJ** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 1:21 am

I dont think the Thunder stands a chance tonight against the best team in the league that has to win and will have the homecrowd and most likely referees on their side. Easy win for the Lakers. OKC is unpredictable, they play good at periods while sucking bigtime in other periods. OKC cant win in LA.

Post #9 » by **slick_watts** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 1:25 am

23MJ wrote:I dont think the Thunder stands a chance tonight against the best team in the league

Didn't know we were playin Cleveland today...

wiff · Post #10 » by **wiff** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:42 am

I think the effort will be there tonight. I think it really comes down to James Harden. We know Collison and Ibaka will bring the toughness inside but can
Harden shows up in his old stomping grounds? If he shows up I really like the Thunders chances.

wiff · Post #11 » by **wiff** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:50 am

Also just wanted to add that I think the Lakers are ripe for the picking. Kobe is not right, Artest is shakey, and Westbrook is destroying Fisher. Ibake has shut down Lamar and Collison grinfind dowb low. I love it.

dream_catcher_9 · Post #12 » by **dream_catcher_9** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 2:58 am

horrible start

BIG EDDIE · Post #13 » by **BIG EDDIE** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:00 am

Awful start, again. 0-9 shooting. Get Krstic and Green out there!

HarthorneWingo · Post #14 » by **HarthorneWingo** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:06 am

Knicks fan here. I'm with you guys all the way. Go Thunder. F Kobe.

dream_catcher_9 · Post #15 » by **dream_catcher_9** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:11 am

the team is rattled...

dream_catcher_9 · Post #16 » by **dream_catcher_9** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:17 am

oh and Westbrook is totally out of control

BIG EDDIE · Post #17 » by **BIG EDDIE** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:18 am

Nightmare!

dream_catcher_9 · Post #18 » by **dream_catcher_9** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:29 am

hopefully we can cut it to single digits by halftime.

Jimmy76 · Post #19 » by **Jimmy76** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:30 am

hard to watch

dream_catcher_9 · Post #20 » by **dream_catcher_9** » Wed Apr 28, 2010 3:40 am

Jimmy76 wrote:hard to watch

they look over matched.