Oklahoma City Thunder

at

New York Knicks

Quarter by Quarter observations

First Quarter

 The Thunder are struggling early in this one, maybe the hotel they stayed in was haunted. The defense is just not looking good right now. McGrady is driving the lane and the help defense is not coming over to stop the penetration. Krstic is getting torched by Lee and slow on the rotation he also is 1-3 so not a good first quarter for Krstic. I really thought he would have a much better game than this so far. The Thunder also keep stepping out of bounds and turning the ball over.  Westbrook is getting to the basket and finishing and it's keeping the Thunder at least close.

Score to end the Quarter 31-25 Knicks

Oklahoma City Thunder

at

New York Knicks

Preview

The story so far

What a difference a month makes. When the Knicks came to OKC in January they were only one game out of the Eastern conference playoffs and the Thunder were hanging on by a half game in the West. Now the Knicks have fallen almost completely out of the race in the East, while the Thunder have extended their lead over 9^th to 3 ½ games. Hollingers playoff predictor is putting the Thunder in the 4 seed to host our first playoff series. The Knicks look a lot different than the last time the Thunder played them, but the Thunder should win this one just on defense. The Thunder have 5 games left in February after tonight 2 against Minnesota and one each against San Antonio, Phoenix, and Toronto. All 5 are winnable games which means this win streak the Thunder is on could extend to 13 games before March.

The Matchups

Sergio Rodriguez v Russell Westbrook

Okay so right off the bat how does Rodriguez fit in running the team. The Knicks have had a chance to practice together but this will be their first game since the overhaul at the deadline. Rodriguez was buried on the bench in Sacramento behind Tyreke Evans and Kevin Martin and now gets a chance to show what he can do in every point guards dream offense. November 6.1, December 7.5, January 7.9, and February so far 8.8 there is no better indicator of the fact Westbrook is getting better and better at the point than his assist totals per month. Each month it increases while his turnovers stay about the same. Westbrook's development is one of many factors contributing to the Thunder's success this season. Westbrook also is shooting better and has developed into a nightly triple double threat.

Edge

Oklahoma City Thunder

vs

Dallas Mavericks

Quarter by Quarter observations

First Quarter

The Thunder just shot 25%. I know offense isn't our strong suit but 25%? 1-4 from Westbrook who is getting the hell hacked out of him. 0-4 from Krstic who isn't getting the hell hacked out of him and in fact has had several wide open jumpers that just haven't gone down. KD is 4-10 but he needs some help if the Thunder is going to pull this one out.

Score to end the Quarter 26-16 Mavs

Oklahoma City Thunder

vs

Dallas Mavericks

Preview

The story so far

Since the second matchup between these teams the Thunder have been a team on the rise while the Mavericks have swooned. The first real trade of the season just occurred involving the Mavericks and Washington and this will be the first game Dallas gets to test its new lineup. Haywood liked playing the Thunder so much that when the Wizards got done playing them he moved to a team with two more games against them. Between Caron Butler and Haywood it is easy to see how the Mavericks could get better but it will be a question of chemistry at first. The Thunder need a win over the Mavericks to salvage a chance to split the season series. According to Hollingers Playoff odds the Mavericks and Thunder will be neck and neck in the battle for the four seed making games against them potentially a little more important. How cool would it be for the Thunder to be hosting a playoff series, think about that for a minute, now wipe the drool off your chin.

The Matchups

Jason Kidd v Russell Westbrook

Kidd versus the Kid. Jason Kidd was a last minute selection to the All Star game, he was chosen over Russell Westbrook and that probably has to sting a little. Put that chip up on your shoulder Westbrook and show them why you should have been the selection. In Dallas Durant struggled and the bench really bailed out the Thunder and kept it close enough to win. Tonight Durant will probably have issues again with Marion and Westbrook will need to step up and take good shots and don't turn the ball over.

Edge

Oklahoma City Thunder

at

Portland Trailblazers

Preview

The History

The Thunder had opened up the season with two straight wins when they hosted the Portland Trailblazers. The Thunder were held to a season low 74 points, that would be the only time so far this season the Thunder have scored under 80. KD was obviously not ready for the defense of Martell Webster he went 3-20 for 16 points. This game just showed the Thunder that without a decent game from Durant they couldn't win. Green had 19 points on 15 shots and Westbrook went 8-12 for 23 and yet the Thunder only managed 74 points.  

The Matchups

Andre Miller v Russell Westbrook

Westbrook tore up the Trailblazer defense last game, and that was one of the few when the Blazers had both Oden and Pryzbilla. Tonight without a good shot blocker in the game Westbrook should be able to get into the lane all night long. Miller is a good option but he lacks the quickness to beat Westbrook off the dribble or to deny him the lane. Look for Westbrook to continue his recent good play and start the week off well in defense of his player of the week title.

Edge

Oklahoma City Thunder

at

Golden State Warriors

Preview

The story so far

With the win over New Orleans the Thunder are climbing up the Western conference playoff standings. Right now the Thunder are in eighth but they are only 2 ½ games out of third. The Thunder also have a 1 game lead over Houston, a 2 game lead over Memphis, and a 2 ½ game lead over the Hornets. The Thunder have 9 games left in February only 4 opponents have winning records. The four opponents the Thunder play are Dallas, Portland, Phoenix, and San Antonio. The Thunder have a chance to clear up some of the playoff picture in the coming month.

The Matchups

Stephen Curry v Russell Westbrook

Curry was one of the bright spots for the Warriors against OKC. Curry shot 4-10 and made both threes he took. He also had 5 assists but turned the ball over 5 times as well. Westbrook had a great game against the rookie going 7-14 and getting to the line 17 times, between free throws and shots Westbrook had 28 points on 14 shots. His 8 assists and 5 rebounds are almost an afterthought when he scores like that.