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| Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images |
Oklahoma City had a mediocre first quarter defensively. They were able to score twenty eight points in the quarter on 65%, but allowed the Bobcats to shoot 57% from the field themselves. Serge Ibaka was the Thunder's offensive catalyst in the first quarter, scoring eight points while making four of his five shots from the floor.
The Thunder didn't make a concerted effort on the glass in the first quarter. They were out rebounded 10-6 by the Bobcats, and gave up four offensive rebounds for four second chance points. Honey-Badger and Co. looked pretty tired to start things off. They allowed the Bobcats to score fourteen points in the paint in the first quarter. Giving up lanes to the basket and allowing Charlotte to penetrate proved costly for the Thunder as they trailed the Bobcats 29-28 going into the second quarter.
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| Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images |
After a poor defensive quarter, the Thunder came out with energy and determination in the second quarter. Oklahoma City held Charlotte to just 33% shooting, and managed to convert four Bobcat turn overs into six points. An all around team effort led the Thunder to dominate Charlotte on the glass, out rebounding them 16-6, while holding them to just six points in the paint.
Oklahoma City scored sixteen points in the paint themselves, but that wasn't their only forte in the quarter. Derek Fisher had a dominating quarter, scoring eight points on 3-4 shooting (2-2 three point) and helped lead the Thunder's bench to a productive twenty one points in the quarter. More points than they usually score in one game. The Thunder's bench's chemistry has shown improvement in their last few games. They are moving the ball extremely well, making the extra pass and finding the open man.
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| Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images |
The Thunder used another big quarter defensively, holding the Bobcats to just sixteen points, to extend their lead further. Charlotte was miserable from the field, making only five of their 24 field goals in the quarter, shooting 20%. While the Bobcats struggled offensively, Kevin Durant continued to pour on the points for the Thunder, scoring ten points on 3-5 shooting in the quarter, coming down with four boards and dishing out three dimes.
All of the Thunder's bench got some playing time in the fourth quarter, allowing all twelve of their players to score tonight. Oklahoma City led by as much as twenty eight points in the fourth quarter, giving players like Ronnie Brewer and Jeremy Lamb to get some much valuable playing time, and help them get used to the Thunder's system. Oklahoma City's bench would finish out the game and win 116-94
Thunder Essentials:
Beat the Bobcats - A++++
Well, the first quarter wasn't too pretty. It made me think this was another one of those sluggish games, a game where we had to actually battle against a lesser team instead of just blowing them out. Though that wasn't the case, thanks to the Thunder's terrific defensive effort in the second and third quarter. Like I said - It was a free and much needed win for Oklahoma City.
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