Oklahoma City Thunder

vs

Utah Jazz

Preview

The History

104-94, That's where we left it in Utah. Now the Jazz get a chance for redemption in OKC. The Jazz were in the middle of a big 6 game home stand in which they went 5-1. The Thunder put an end to a three game Jazz winning streak in the first match, this time the Thunder come in on a 4 game winning streak of their own looking to pass Utah with a win for the eight seed and third in the Northwest division. This will also be Eric Maynor's first game against the team that drafted him.

The Matchups

Deron Williams v Russell Westbrook

The first game I thought this would be a big advantage for the Jazz. Williams is a great point guard and Westbrook was still learning his position. Now Westbrook is playing great, he has eliminated most of his turnovers and is doing a great job of distributing the ball. In his last 5 games Westbrook only has one game with more than 2 turnovers. His assist to turnover ratio is 4.18 to 1 in the last five, he also has posted double doubles in his last two games. In the first matchup Williams was checked by Sefolosha, who did an excellent job of slowing him. Williams went 5-14 and had 7 turnovers to go with his 9 assists. The Thunder sure could use another 5-14 night from Williams tonight so lets hope Sefolosha eats his wheaties today because on any given day Williams can takeover a game.

Edge Push

Against the Nets KD put up 40 points and Sebastian on netsarescorching provides a great breakdown of how some of those points happened. If you like seeing video breakdown this is a great one.

http://netsarescorching.com/2009/12/30/home-movies-kevin-durants-free-points/

First Quarter

 The Thunder are starting out the game flat and lazy. They just don't have much energy right now. The Thunder didn't score until nearly 3 minutes were gone from the first quarter and were down by 6 4 minutes in. The Thunder built up a lead and then let it slip away as the Wizards got on a roll and cut the lead back to 3. KD started 5-7 for 14 points and has looked good early on both on offense and defense. The Thunder are doing a good job of taking care of the basketball early in the game which is good to see after the lacksidaisical way they played the first quarter in New Jersey. Westbrook is 1-5 from the field but he already has 5 assists and 4 rebounds. One of the good things to see in this game is 0 fouls in the first quarter. The Thunder has not committed a foul yet.

Score to end the Quarter 30-25 Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder

vs

Washington Wizards

Preview

The History

The Thunder have started the easy portion of their schedule the right way with 3 straight wins. Tonight they play a dangerous Washington team at home. KD and Green will be returning home for the first time this season and will be looking to hand the hometown team a third straight loss. In OKC the Wizards were handed a 127-108 loss that was close for three quarters before the Thunder pulled away late in the third and put it away in the fourth. Quite a bit has changed since the Wizards last met the Thunder Kevin Ollie has been replaced by Kyle Weaver who was replaced by Shaun Livingston who was replaced by Eric Maynor, Serge Ibaka is more likely to come off the bench than Etan Thomas, and Nick Collison will play more than 2 minutes. The Wizards have had more time to gel, the OKC game was Antawn Jamisons second game back, although they will probably be missing guard Mike Miller.

The Matchups

Gilbert Arenas v Russell Westbrook

Westbrook drew the Arenas assignment last game so there is little reason to assume he won't again. Westbrook did okay defensively he held Arenas to 7-20 shooting with 8 assists and 3 rebounds. Offensively Westbrook was hot from 3 he went 3-6 from beyond the arc and 6-12 from the field, he also got to the line 12 times, had 7 assists, and 4 rebounds. Westbrook has been doing a better job lately of taking care of the ball so a repeat of his 6 turnover night is unlikely. With the way Westbrook has been playing lately I am inclined to give the nod to Westbrook in this one.

Edge

Quarter by Quarter observations

First Quarter

 Just when you thought the Thunder was going to pull away and really extend the lead they would commit easy turnovers. Durant tries to hand it off to Westbrook but instead hands it to Harris. Westbrook just tries to pass it down low without looking, sends it straight to Yi. Harden gets in the game and goes straight to the rack twice to force terrible shots. Harden also passes up a wide open Ibaka, who would have had an uncontested 9 foot shot. The Thunder really needed to get a big lead and take the energy out of this one early on, the Nets may not be great but if you let them hang around bad things can happen.

Score to end the Quarter 32-27 Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder

vs

Charlotte Bobcats

Preview

The story so far

Both OKC and Charlotte are fighting for a playoff spot, right now Charlotte is sitting in the 8 spot in the east despite a losing record while OKC is out of the playoffs in the 9 spot despite a .500 record. This is the start of a fairly easy stretch for the Thunder which should provide them a chance to make some noise and get back into the playoff mix. The next ten games feature only 2 games against teams with winning records, and those teams are Utah and San Antonio which the Thunder have already beat once on the year. If the Thunder can make it through this stretch 8-2 or better they will be way over .500 and looking good for the playoffs. Charlotte is in a fight with Detroit for the final spot in the easy east so any win is a good win particularly a win over a west conference contender.

The Matchups

Raymond Felton v Russell Westbrook

The Thunder were able to get the win despite a return of the less than great Westbrook. Westbrook didn't play bad but after the 13 assist 2 turnover performance in LA 7 assists to 5 turnovers is a step back. This was the first game in the last five that Westbrook had more than 2 turnovers, which is a sign he is getting more consistent so Westbrook will probably take better care of the ball tonight. Felton and Westbrook have pretty much the same assist to turnover ratio for the season 2.04 which is good, however in the last five games Westbrook has posted a 3.7 to Feltons 1.4. Deron Williams was third, CP3 was fourth, and Raymond Felton was fifth in the 2005 draft, at least he isn't Marvin Williams who was drafted second ahead of those two. Felton can score when he needs to but typically is a pass first point guard.

Edge