Quarter by Quarter observations

First Quarter

The Thunder looked out of synch early in the quarter, I don't know if it's because the Spurs elected not to play Tim Duncan or something else but they were not ready to play. The refs seemed to have one of those bets Tim Donaghy talked about where first one to call a foul had to buy dinner. The Thunder were getting hacked all over the place but no fouls. KD looks out of rhythem early he is missing wide open shots, right now he is 3-7. Green has hit both of his shots but is getting bumped and hit and yet gets no call. Right now it's a little ridiculous, the Spurs are getting all the calls and coupled with the better execution they are out to a huge lead.

Score to end the Quarter 35-18 Spurs

Second Quarter

 Parker and Hill are throwing up prayers and getting them answered. Not to say they are all bad shots but it seemed like anything they threw at the rim went in. That is both good and bad, good because it can't keep happening forever, bad because it might keep happening long enough for the Spurs to run out the clock. Durant is still getting open but not making the shots, we all knew he would come back down to earth eventually and it looks like tonight is it. Green is fighting hard and the lead would probably be even bigger if he wasn't picking up huge rebounds and going 4-4. Westbrook is having a more typical night he is 5-12 right now with 14 points 5 assists and a turnover. The good news in the game down in San Antonio we were down 7 at the half and managed to catch up and take the lead in the third quarter. If the Thunder can put together another good effort in the third tonight they should be able to catch up and maybe take a lead.

Score to finish the half 63-51 Spurs

Half

The best offensive option for the Thunder right now is Jeff Green, he has been able to drive the lane and finish but as usual isn't getting any love from the refs. KD is struggling Bogans has played some good defense against and KD has missed a lot of open shots. Whether he is rushing his shot because of Bogans defense or because he feels the pressure either way it's not working right now. Parker, Hill, and Blair have been a three man gang of destruction tonight. The Thunder need to find some answers on the defense side, tonight the defense has been lackluster to say the least. Sefolosha and Westbrook should be able to limit Parker and Hill in the second half the real question is who can the Thunder use against Blair, my early suggestion would be Ibaka. Ibaka did not get any minutes in the first half but he might get some minutes in the second half.

Third Quarter

And just like that the Thunder take the lead. The Thunder decided to show up and play some defense, great defense, and the result the Spurs only score 13 on 20 shots. The Thunder meanwhile score 26 on 21. The Thunder are scoring by driving the ball to the basket, they have shot 23 free throws and made 21. Both Durant and Westbrook continue to struggle but the third quarter was better than the first two. Green has been great driving the lane and scoring but the Thunder are not getting him the ball.

Score to finish the Quarter 77-76 Thunder

Fourth Quarter & Overtime

The Thunder needed to find an answer for DeJuan Blair, and it came just a little too late. When Harden fouled Blair out with 3 minutes left in overtime I was sure the Thunder would be able to take advantage of the lack of offensive options the Spurs had left. Unfortunately the Thunder could not find a way to get good shots, I don't understand why they didn't try to get the ball to Green and let him drive the lane. Durant was covered and the Spurs were doing a good job on Westbrook you need to get the ball to your hot hand. I say hot hand because he was 7-9, Durant had issues with the Spurs defense all night, Westbrook can get into the lane but that really relies on outside shooters hitting shots. Green was able to get down in the post and get to the rim and make almost everything, why he didn't get a call in overtime is beyond me.

Score to finish the Game 109-108 Thunder

The Good and The Bad individually

The Good

Jeff Green

Green was able to get to the rim against the slower Spurs defenders, he also was able to grab several huge rebounds. One thing I have noticed about Green's rebounds they always seem to be impressive ones, the ones you think oh god someone get that or wow where did he come from. Tonight it just wasn't enough. Green also played some really good defense.

Thabo Sefolosha

Speaking of really good defense, After Sefolosha took over guarding Parker he made only 2 shots. Sefolosha took Parker out of the game. One of the reasons I was sure the Thunder would be able to win once Blair was out of the game was because of the defense of Sefolosha. He also made a clutch shot to tie the game at one point and grabbed 5 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, and 2 blocks. A very nice all around effort.

The Bad

Durant and Westbrook, sure they scored the points tonight but scoring 35 points on 31 shots is not good and neither is 25 points on 24 shots. Durant also had 7 turnovers and struggled all night with the defense.

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