Game 12 Preview: Oklahoma City at Orlando
This also counts as an open thread, so feel free to post your thoughts during the game here.
Time: 6 PM Central Standard Time
Place: Amway Arena, Orlando, Florida
TV: KSBI-TV 52, Sun Sports
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1)
Enemy Blog(s): Third Quarter Collapse, The Puns Are Starting to Bore Me
Backstory: So, Orlando, we meet again! But what's different about you this time? Well, you've gone 3-1 since your loss to us, but....Jameer Nelson is now out. Easy game, right? Wrong. The reason we won last time is because the Magic were seriously lacking in the scoring department without Vince Carter or Rashard Lewis. Nobody could help take the scoring pressure off of Dwight Howard. Not even Jameer Nelson, who normally can do so.. Which is exactly my point. Jameer Nelson isn't a distributor in the strictest sense. Don't get me wrong, he has his fair share of assists, but he is a scorer first. Thus, as long as Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis play and score, the Magic shouldn't miss a step. And Jason Williams won't have any trouble distributing the ball. And that is why I think this game presents a problem for us.
On our side of things, Russell Westbrook has regained his stride, Thabo Sefolosha is defending like a mad man, and it looks like we're on top of the world again! Unfortunately, this is the second game of a back-to-back, so there might be a degree of fatigue and homesickness here.
Below: Matchups, Prediction
Matchups:
Center: Nenad Krstic vs. Dwight Howard
Last time, Nenad Krstic was able to do his fair share of scoring via his infamous jump shot, but Dwight Howard was able to outscore and outrebound him on all fronts. Expect the same to happen again here.
Power Forward: Jeff Green vs. Rashard Lewis
Jeff Green has been cold as a Winter storm lately, and Rashard Lewis came off of his injury with a bang. Expect Green to grab the necessary boards and Shard to outscore Green.
Small Forward: Kevin Durant vs. Mickael Pietrus
Last time, Pietrus didn't provide much of a threat for Durant, and I don't think this time will be much different.
Shooting Guard: Thabo Sefolosha vs. Vince Carter
This might be what the game hinges on. If the Magic have 3 solid scorers, we won't have much of a shot, but if they're reduced to two, we'll have more of a shot.
Point Guard: Russell Westbrook vs. Jason Williams
Russell Westbrook will almost certainly outscore and outrebound Jason Williams. Jason Williams will have more assists, though.
Battle of the Benches
The Magic bench is much deeper and more talented. Even at PG, they still have Anthony Johnson, who is probably one of the best 3rd PGs in the league. Best of all, they have Adonal Foyle. Magic by a mile.
Coaching and Intangibles
The Magic easily win here because they're at home, facing us on the 2nd game of a back-to-back, want some revenge, and have more talent than they did last time.
Bottom Line
The key to the game, for us, it silencing Lewis or Carter while making sure we exploit the fact that they have no real Power Forward. A good day from Jeff Green and Thabo Sefolosha would help out a lot here.
Prediction: Magic 99, Thunder 90
Sorry, but I've got to go with my brain, not my heart. The Magic have our number this time.
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!
0 recs |
30 comments
| Add comment
|
Comments
I hate it when quick naps turn into 4-5 hours of being knocked out
Had this recap 60% done around 1, but then decided to lay down, and bam, it’s 6:00. Next time, no resting!
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
Lol, Etan Thomas Tried to shoot a jumper
And it could have gone in.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
I hate Etan's shot.
I kinda looks like a hookshot, but without the hook.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
Yeah, at this point, it's really hard for me to see us winning this game.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
Good 'ol Honest Abe
What a basketball player he was!
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
That's next on his agenda, I'm sure.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
Their offense is stagnant.
Durant needs to use the double teams to our advantage, and everyone else needs to convert shots. Especially free throws.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
Any time the Thunder do anything on offense
the Magic are like “BAM”, 3 in yo face!
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
At least we wont play them again this year...
..unless we meet again in the finals.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
well...
Im a bit too far out of the sportsanimal bandwidth to pick up the station. How about online? it’s just commercials.
They are giving a b.s. stream, but I'm not certain why.
Where you at btw?
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
Ya...
I’m looking at the box score and it is just awful. Can’t say I’m too surprised, it happens every once in awhile in the NBA.
Ya, so my times are way off, although the games usually start at a good time for me.
I'm amazed
they caught back up.
They were down by 30 at the end of the 3rd quarter. That’s when we left because we had to drive 2 hours back home.
They just looked really tired.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 19, 2009 12:38 AM CST reply actions
That is it. You are no longer allowed to attend Thunder games.
Especially when we surge after you leave. :)
How was meeting KD?
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
haha
This story almost deserves a fanpost…
Sadly, we did not get to meet him.
We showed up, fairly early, and they said player tickets weren’t there yet. So we waited around until it was almost game time, and there was nothing. Luckily, the guy in customer service was cool and got us into the game right after tipoff.
It was cool to get in, but I was kind of bummed that the tickets weren’t there, which is part of the reason I agreed to leave when we were down 30 at the end of the 3rd.
When we got home, 2 hours later, I DM’d him on Twitter. He apologized profusely and swore on his life he sent the tickets up. He said he came out to meet us, but we weren’t there and he wondered what happened.
I told him it was cool. No hard feelings. And he’s supposed to be sending me an autograph or something.
The End.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 19, 2009 10:21 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah
I was so frustrated. I was like “If you want, we can log on to my twitter and I’ll show you the messages from his verified account.”
I just wish they’d have played better. It was dreadful to see in person.
Of course, they’re on pace to be 41-41.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 19, 2009 11:34 AM CST up reply actions
Something to say? Choose one of these options to log in.
On Facebook? Use Connect to join SB Nation. Share insights with fans and friends.- » Create a new SB Nation account
- » Already registered with SB Nation? Log in!

by 
































