 |
| Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images |
Oklahoma City dominated the offensive glass in the first quarter, grabbing eight offensive rebounds for four second chance points. Three of those belonged to Serge Ibaka, who had six rebounds in the first quarter, and was constantly attacking the glass - scoring four of his six points off of offensive rebounds.
The Thunder were able to put the Bulls down by ten early with their dominance on the glass. Oklahoma City gave up two offensive rebounds which were both converted into second chance points in the final minutes of the fourth, allowing the Bulls to close within six before the Thunder extended their lead back out to eight. Russell Westbrook scored seven points in the first, scoring his only three of the quarter in OKC's opening possession.
 |
| Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images |
Oklahoma City started the second quarter with a 17-7 run led by Kevin Durant's nine points. Despite shooting 1-6 in the quarter, KD was able to go 6-6 from the line. Westbrook helped ignite the Thunder's run with a monsterous dunk in transition at the 7:22 mark of the second. You can watch his dunk here.
Serge Ibaka and the Thunder continued to dominate the offensive glass, grabbing another two for himself, totaling five for OKC in the quarter. Oklahoma City was able to pound the ball inside, out scoring the Bulls 8-4 in the paint, as the Bulls had no answer for the Thunder's second chance put backs. Oklahoma City would extend their lead to nineteen before the Bulls would go on a 7-0 run to close within ten in the closing minutes of the half. Thabo Sefolosha would extend the Thunder's lead back out to 13 after an and-one lay in off KD's missed lay up.
Westbrook continued his sharp shooting in the third, going 5-6 from the field for ten points. Serge Ibaka was on fire from the field as well, knocking down 4 of his 6 shots for nine points of his own, one of them being a three coming out of a time out. Kevin Durant stopped his below 50% shooting streak, shooting 3-6 in the third for six points of his own. KD grabbed 6 rebounds and dished out 3 dimes in the quarter as well.
 |
| AP Photo/Alonzo Adams |
Out scoring the Bulls 31-18 in the third, the Thunder were able to push their lead out to as much as twenty nine after going on another 17-5 run midway through the third. Oklahoma City continued to pound the ball inside in the third quarter, out scoring them 12-6 in the paint despite the Bull's defensive anchor Joakim Noah playing twelve minutes. Noah was -13 in the quarter and shot just 2-9 in the game.
Going into the fourth quarter with a twenty six point lead, Scott Brooks cleared the Thunder's bench for garbage time. Jeremy Lamb, Daniel Orton, Deandre Liggins, and Reggie Jackson played in the quarter and helped to extend the Thunder's lead up to as much thirty two points. Jeremy Lamb had nine points in the quarter, nailing four three throws and shooting 2-3 from the field. Jeremy Lamb is a promising shooter and a three point threat, hopefully he can find a place in OKC's lineup next year.
Thunder Essentials:
Interior Defense - A
Oklahoma City held the Bulls to just thirty points in the paint. An impressive feat against an extremely talented front court in Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah. Boozer and Noah combined for just 10 points on 3-14 shooting and were limited on the offensive glass, combining for just 6 offensive rebounds. Kendrick Perkins has been playing excellent defense these last two games. Dominating the glass and protecting the paint like the true big man he his, the Bulls were unable to find a way to consistently score in the paint.
Take care of the ball - F
Well. The Thunder managed to turn the ball over nineteen times tonight for nineteen points. If it wasn't for their turnovers this would've been a 40 point blow out. Nine Thunder players turned the ball over at least once, and that's not going to get you a win against a team that isn't shooting 19% in the first half. Though OKC's defense was much improved, they need to buckle up when it comes to taking care of the ball if they want that first seed.
Run the break - B
The Thunder ran the break exceptionally well tonight, scoring seventeen points. They could have scored a lot more if they didn't settle for pull up transition threes as much, and instead should have just let Westbrook drive the ball every single time, seeings how he can't be stopped, ever, but seventeen points is good.
Some Thunder Thoughts -
1st Quarter: The 1st quarter of the game went slow scoring wise, Kevin Durant only had 4 points in the 1st quarter but he had an impressive 6 rebounds. Thunder lead the 1st quarter (22)-(14), from the poor shooting from the Bulls and the Thunder taking advantage from it.
2nd Quarter: The 2nd quarter started much like the 1st quarter went, both teams are having trouble scoring the ball (mostly the Bulls). Thunder have turned the ball over 5 times in the first 4 minutes of the 2nd quarter and 4 turn overs in the first 3 minutes of the 1st quarter. Thunder really needs to stop turning the ball over so much early into the quarters if their wanting to win the championship this year.there were a total of 12 turn overs by the end of the 1st half, But the Thunder defense wouldn't let the Bulls score keeping them at around 20% from the field. Thunder lead the first half (49)-(36).
3rd Quarter: The 3rd quarter Thunder took complete control just dominating the Bulls in scoring and rebounding. Thunder shot 65% from the field in the 3rd quarter resulting in the Thunder to score 31 points compared to the 18 by the Bulls. Thunder lead the 3rd quarter (80)-(54).
4th Quarter: The Thunder let their bench play most of the 4th quarter. They played very well out scoring the Bulls (22)-(18) in the 4th. Thunder won the game (102)-(72), an impressive back to back blow outs after a three game losing slump.
Thanks are to Chris Adcox for the Thunder Thoughts. You can follow him on twitter here.
No comments:
Post a Comment