Game 8 Preview: Oklahoma City at Los Angeles Clippers
by Zorgon on Nov 11, 2009 6:58 PM CST
95 comments
This also counts as an open thread, so feel free to post your thoughts during the game here.
Time: 9:30 PM Central Standard Time
Place: The Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
TV: KSBI-TV 52, Fox Sports Net Prime Ticket
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1)
Enemy Blog(s): Clips Nation, ClipperBlog
Backstory: More than anything else, the Los Angeles Clippers are known as the unluckiest team in the NBA. That moniker continues into this season, as they've had recent injuries to Black Griffin and Eric Gordon, all leading to an underwhelming start of 3-5. I mean, if I told you a team had a lineup of Marcus Camby, Chris Kaman, Blake Griffin, Craig Smith, Al Thornton, Rasual Butler, Eric Gordon, Ricky Davis, Baron Davis, and Sebastian Telfair along with a Championship Coach in Mike Dunleavy Sr. and the 2nd largest market in the US, you'd think I was talking about a championship winning Lakers team, right? Wrong. I'm talking about just another sub-.500 Clippers team.
Despite the talent-laden roster, this is a very winnable game. The Clippers have only won against the Timberwolves, Warriors, and Grizzlies, who are possibly the 3 worst teams in the West. They've lost to the Lakers, Suns, Jazz, Mavericks, and Hornets. This game will determine exactly where we will be on the map for this season. Will we be lurking around the 12th or 11th seed, waiting for the lottery and mired in mediocrity, or will we be around the 10th-8th seed, fiercely competing for a playoff spot? Lets hope it's the latter.
Below: Matchups, Prediction
Matchups:
Center: Chris Kaman vs. Nenad Krstic
Chris Kaman is a better inside banger, and will probably get some crucial points against Krstic inside. Hopefully Krstic can pay him back with his mid-range jumper, but all of that will depend on if he's feeling hot or cold tonight. Still, I'd tend to think that Chris Kaman will have the better day.
Power Forward: Marcus Camby vs. Jeff Green
A mismatch if I ever saw one. Camby is a good ball handler for his size, but if Green can get hot from the perimeter, then it will be all over. If the Clippers can slow our game down I'd give the win to Camby, but otherwise, I think Green gets the win.
Small Forward: Al Thornton vs. Kevin Durant
Al Thornton is and will be a solid player, but he's no Kevin Durant. Thornton has been cold so far this season, so lets hope Durant can take advantage of that and exploit him.
Shooting Guard: Ricky Davis vs. Thabo Sefolosha
Ricky Davis is a good name, but he's not much more than a streaky shooter. He might drop more points than Sefolosha, but Sefolosha will beat him in every other area of the stat sheet.
Point Guard: Baron Davis vs. Russell Westbrook
Ah, the young versus the old. I used to watch Baron Davis on the Warrior teams of old, and it was good times. But now, he's trapped on one of the unluckiest organizations in history, and his scoring production has seen a serious hit. He'll beat Westbrook in assists, but it will be interesting to see who gets more rebounds and who can score more points, especially after Westbrook's cold performance last night.
Battle of the Benches
The Clippers have a deeper and more talented bench than we do for sure, but we have a more cohesive unit. Still, I think talent wins in this case.
Coaching and Intangibles
The Clippers have played 4 games in 6 days, and the Thunder are on the second game of a back-to-back, so both teams will be tired. The Clippers are at home, but they've had two crucial injuries, so I'd say this category is about even for both of us, unless you're counting the style points brought on by the suit of Mike Dunleavy Sr. In that case, the Clippers win.
Bottom Line
The Clippers are more talented, but they're older and bigger, so if the Thunder can exploit bad matchups, then they'll have a serious advantage. Remember when I said that if the Thunder lost to the Kings, it wouldn't matter that much? Well, if the Thunder lose here, it will put us 2 games in the hole, and it will matter.
Prediction: Thunder 97, Clippers 95
I feel like a homer here, but somehow I think that we can pull this one out against the Clippers, since their main scorer in Eric Gordon is out, and they have a lack of athleticism on their front line.
How do you think the game will go? Vote in the Poll!
And, again, feel free to drop any comments you might have during, before, or after the game below. I might be here during the game to drop my thoughts as well. Go Thunder!
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I was trying to beat your preview...
You got me by two minutes… Drat!
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
You're fine
I was literally racing against time to get the preview done before I was too late in my Film class to sign the all-important attendance sheet.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
The night
the Clips drafted Blake, I predicted he would get injured.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 7:02 PM CST reply actions
Well...
that isn’t a very bold prediction since 100% of player get injured, but thanks for jinxing the Sooner. I bought my family tickets to his only appearance at the Ford and Blake will be riding the bench.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
haha I meant he'd get get injured
before the season started. That was my actual prediction.
I didn’t want him to go to the Clips. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 7:40 PM CST up reply actions
I mentioned this elsewhere, but it is relevent here as well...
I’m expecting the Thunder’s “A” game tonight. They are coming off of a tough loss to an underrated team, so they will be looking for blood tonight. Also, Harden and Westbrook will be playing in front of family and friends tonight since they are both L.A. natives. Russell’s b-day is tomorrow, so he will likely have more friends and family attending than he normally would.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
interesting Tweets:
sportsguy33: VERY excited to see my longtime man-crush Kevin Durant play in the House That Sterling Sullied tonight. Clips have NOBODY to defend him.
sportsguy33: Wow, Durant made me post a Tweet with 2 different words in caps. He turns me into a teenage girl. Im only missing headgear + a training bra.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
Should we
be picking on the Clips blog right now?
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 9:22 PM CST reply actions
Pick on the Clips?
Is that even possible anymore? You’d think they’d be apathetic by now. 0 Division titles. 0. Almost 40 years now.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
I feel bad for them
I think they should relocate them.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 9:46 PM CST up reply actions
Is it just me
Or do the Clippers logo and uniforms look like they’re both 30 years out of date?
Oh wait, I don’t have room to talk, because Thunder’s TV intro was taken directly from Space Jam.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
Rasual Butler gets the nod tonight
Good to see he’s alive and well.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
Looks like Collison is coming in...
I guess Brooks wants more rebounds.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
i want the lid taken off the basket
Holy Shit!!!...Peterson resigned...Am I dead?...Is This Heaven?
by RoyalsFanStuckInCardsLand on Nov 11, 2009 9:57 PM CST up reply actions
The First Non Green-Durant Score
Came with 3 Minutes to go in the 1st, by Krstic.
Russell Westbrook…..argh. He really needs to focus on distributing at this point.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
Yeah, it's an old adage, but after going 0-4
it’s well deserved.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
A much more freeflowing game than that last few we've been seeing
Much more entertaining and relaxing to watch.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
OKC is looking better.
Durant and Krispy are hitting their shots.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
Right now
Kevin Ollie is looking like a better scorer than Westbrook.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
Clippers Having Shot Clock Problems
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
Feed finding
must be an adventure. I usually use Channelsurfing.net:http://www.channelsurfing.net/
Thunder Game is at the bottom.
Last time I used a feed, I was watching the Japanese Baseball playoffs. Luckily, I had a good feed for that.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
That's better
haha Just in time for the half.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 10:35 PM CST up reply actions
Not a great finish....
This is looking bad. Again.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
0 points
from our starting guards? I’m amazed it’s only a 5 point lead.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 10:39 PM CST reply actions
Baron's beard
should fight Harden’s beard.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 10:46 PM CST up reply actions
We should
put someone else in at the point.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 10:58 PM CST reply actions
Uh oh
Don’t want to lose RW0, no matter how poorly he’s shooting.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 11:08 PM CST reply actions
At least
he walked to the locker room.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 11:10 PM CST up reply actions
Westbrook only had a mild sprain.
Good news.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
If anyone of
our big 3 goes down for a length of time, I think it could really eff up the season.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 11:18 PM CST up reply actions
Actually
I’d be curious to see how we’d do without Westbrook. Not anxious, not wanting to, just…curious.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
Harden
with 6 assists. Is he our 2nd team PG?
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 11:22 PM CST reply actions
That's quite
the lineup we have in there right now.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 11:26 PM CST reply actions
Big 3!
Tied via Jeff Green!
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
Now if
we can get someone else into double digit points.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 11:30 PM CST reply actions
Yeah, my friend talking on AIM
just lost it too. :-(
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
Getting worried about Westbrook
Because, damn, that Ollie/Harden combo is looking really, really good right now.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
Ollie has just 1 assist
but the Beard has 7.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 11:36 PM CST up reply actions
Westy just gets to frustrated.
If he was a Jedi, I think he would join the dark side.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
by daddydai on Nov 11, 2009 11:37 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
In other news...
Who saw the Suns coming?
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 11:40 PM CST reply actions
Outside of the Lakers
The Suns are my least favourite team. I love cheering against them.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
I don't think
that’s going to happen.
I’m pretty sure the Hornets are on their way to the top of the lottery though.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 11:45 PM CST up reply actions
It's looking good
Up 3 with 2:40 to go.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
If we win this game
and our starting guards only have points, we’re living a charmed life.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 11:47 PM CST up reply actions
I hate that Remington Park Animation
It distracts me from the game at the worst times.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
CLUTCH shot by Durant
Very nice shot, I wish Durant an Green would do Mid-range more often
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
I hate
that I can’t even hear the game.
I have the Yahoo Game Channel up.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 11:51 PM CST reply actions
Horrible Passing by Kaman
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
I know, I'm just saying.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
Excellent Rebound by Ollie!
I don’t care if he missed the 3!
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
How long
did it take them to get 4 wins last season?
by ElectricPencils on Nov 11, 2009 11:58 PM CST reply actions
34 games, I think.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
.500 again.
Now we can lose against the Spurs and beat the Clippers on Sunday!
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
We can win
If both Duncan and Ginobili are out.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
Yeah
these games that end at 1am are rough.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 12, 2009 12:01 AM CST up reply actions
Nice win
considering Thabo and RW0 combined for 4 points.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 12, 2009 12:01 AM CST reply actions
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Northwest Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Denver
|
53 | 29 | .646 | 0 | Lost 1 |
|
Utah
|
53 | 29 | .646 | 0 | Lost 4 |
|
Oklahoma City
|
50 | 32 | .609 | 3 | Lost 2 |
|
Portland
|
50 | 32 | .609 | 3 | Lost 2 |
|
Minnesota
|
15 | 67 | .182 | 38 | Lost 7 |
(updated 9.2.2010 at 4:09 PM CDT)
Thunder Schedule
Last 5 Games
|
Los Angeles Lakers
|
Fri 04/30 | L 94 - 95 |
|
@
Los Angeles Lakers
|
Tue 04/27 | L 87 - 111 |
|
Los Angeles Lakers
|
Sat 04/24 | W 110 - 89 |
|
Los Angeles Lakers
|
Thu 04/22 | W 101 - 96 |
|
@
Los Angeles Lakers
|
Tue 04/20 | L 92 - 95 |
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