 |
| AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki |
The Thunder's offensive was flowing nicely in the first quarter, having 7 players score at least one basket. Russell Westbrook once again found himself carrying the Thunder's offensive load early on, scoring 11 points on 4-6 shooting to go along with his three rebounds and four assists. Oklahoma City held the Wolves' to just 42% shooting from the field and just 25% from beyond the arc. Shooting 57% and 66% from the three themselves, the Thunder were able to build and hold an impressive lead for the better part of the quarter.
Oklahoma City struggled defensively in the second quarter, turning the ball over 6 times for 11 points, and allowing the Timberwolves to shoot 62% from the field. The Wolves' bench was unstoppable in the second quarter, lead of course by the "Thunder Torcher" JJ Barea. He led the charge with 7 points himself, as the Wolves' bench scored 27 off their 35 points in the quarter.
 |
| AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki |
With the Thunder's interior defense nowhere to be found - probably because Perk only played 3 minutes in the quarter, Minnesota was able to score 20 points in the paint. Kevin Durant picked up the scoring in the second quarter. Only scoring six in the first, he managed to go 4-5 from the field for ten points, as well as dish out two assists and grab two boards.
The Thunder got their offense back to it's explosive ways, led again by Russell Westbrook who had a monster quarter with thirteen points and three assists on 6-8 shooting. Big Perk had a Big quarter as well. Not really known for his offensive prowess, Perkins scored six points on 3-4 shooting and helped the Thunder score easy baskets in the paint.
Oklahoma City torched the Wolves in the paint, out scoring them 20-10 in the quarter, as well as dominating the glass - out rebounding Minnesota 10-5. Andrei Kirilenko kept the Wolves' hopes alive in the third quarter, and no one could really put a stop to it. Kirilenko went 4-6 from the field(2-2 3-pt) for 13 points and two boards.
 |
| AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki |
Though Oklahoma City gave up eleven fast break points and allowed the Wolves to shoot 38% in the quarter, they were able to close out the game behind Russell Westbrook's eight points. Westbrook was large and in charge tonight, finishing the game with a season-high 37 points for him, as well as nearly finishing with a triple double with 9 assists and 7 rebounds. Russ struggled with turn overs tonight, turning it over five times, but when he's as efficient as he was tonight (13-22, 59%) it really doesn't matter. He can get to the lane literally at will, and once he touches up on his decision making abilities when it comes to passing in the lane, he's going to be unstoppable.
Thunder Essentials:
Defensive Rebounding - B+
The Thunder allowed just nine offensive rebounds tonight despite giving up twelve 2nd chance points. They out rebounded the Timberwolves 41-32 tonight, having three people grab seven rebounds a piece. Kendrick Perkins played excellent tonight on both the offensive and defensive end - coming off a knee injury that had him out against the Rockets. Tonight's post presence and interior defense was a big reason why the Thunder came out with a win the way they did.
Bench Production - A+
The bench was very impressive tonight, and very confident and aggressive with their offense. OKC's bench was topped by the Timberwolves' whose bench out scored the Thunder's 59-40, but 40 points none the less is always acceptable. Oklahoma City's defense wasn't up to par at times, but their high offensive production pulled them through on this one - lead by Kevin Martin who had 19 points on an efficient 7-11 shooting.
Finish the game - B
The Wolves made a mini run midway through the fourth quarter, closing the gap to nine at one point, but right when you started to cringe at the thought of the Thunder throwing another fourth quarter lead - Kevin Durant was there to sink a couple jumpers and extend the lead back out to double digits.
Some Thunder Thoughts -
1st Quarter: Thunder going 5-5 for field goals in the first four minutes of the 1st quarter a great start for the OKC Thunder. Westbrook took charge for the Thunder and had an amazing 1st quarter with 11 points 4 assists and 3 rebounds, which led to Thunder leading the end of the first (33)-(23).
2nd Quarter: Kevin Martin is doing really good this game scoring 12 points from the bench in the first half. Thunder had too many turnovers this half already(9), Thunder had more turnovers in the 2nd quarter (7) than the Timberwolves had the first half (3), Which led to the Timberwolves to beat the Thunder in scoring in the 2nd quarter (35)-(33).
3rd Quarter: The Thunder start the 3rd quarter off with a great start, scoring (6) points on the Timberwolves in under the first two minutes of the quarter while the Timberwolves score (0). Thunder goes on a shooting streak making 7 straight shots in a row, which led to the Thunder to destroy the Timberwolves in scoring in the 3rd quarter (34)-(25).
4th Quarter: Thunder started the 4th quarter with their defense playing much better than the first three quarters of the game in which gave they the Timberwolves too many unnecessary points. Westbrook put up a season high scoring 37 points to go along with 7 boards and 9 dimes, which helped Thunder beat the Timberwolves (127)-(111) as the final score.
Thanks are to Chris Adcox for the Thunder Thoughts. You can follow him on twitter @chrisadcox1
No comments:
Post a Comment