Game 22: Cleveland at Oklahoma City
by daddydai on Dec 13, 2009 11:39 AM CST
in Gameday
94 comments
This also counts as an open thread, so feel free to post your thoughts during the game here.
Time: 6:00 PM Central Standard Time
Place: The Ford Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1)
Enemy Blog(s): Fear the Sword
When it comes to Thunder basketball, I am an eternal optimist. Positive thought equals positive results, right? So being unbiased is a rough task for me. After the Thunder defeated the Orlando Magic, I feel OKC proved that they can beat any team. So let's continue with the task at hand.
The Cavs added Shaq to their roster in order to "Bring the King a ring". With the extra strength inside somehow the Cavs have already tallied up seven losses. Not to mention losses to teams that the Thunder have already defeated (Washington & Memphis). So should we be encouraged? I'd say yes. Plus we all know that KD and the boys like to step up to the top teams in the league.
Of course Cleveland has plenty of bigs that can contend with our paltry front court. So expect Krispy to jump start his jump shot in hopes to pull the Shaq away from the basket. Cleveland also has a nice outside game that OKC has to be aware of. Expect some nice cuts to the basket by Williams and Lebron. In order for the Thunder to pull this one off shots have to fall and rebounds must be collected.
Since, I'm always bouncing about the internet here are a few more thoughts about the game:
Cavs Hit the Road, Travel to OKC | King James Gospel | A Cleveland Cavs Blog
Cleveland’s starting shooting guard Anthony Parker played basketball in Israel for Macabbi Tel Aviv before entering the NBA and is very accustomed to the celebrations of Hanukkah. And AP comes out hot right from the opening tip. Parker picks up four of LeBron’s seven first quarter assists and pours in 12 early points to lead the Cavs to an early 14 point lead. Cleveland withstands a late second quarter run by the Thunder and goes into the locker room with an eight point advantage, 54 – 46.
The King takes matters into his own hands to start the third quarter and pours in 8 consecutive points and finished the quarter with a game-high 27. After sitting the first six minutes of the fourth quarter, James checks back in with his team
clinging to a four point lead. Kevin Durant tries to steal the King’s throne but LeBron matches him point-for-point. Jeff Green cans two from long distance in the last two minutes and the Cavs trail by 2 with 11 seconds.
LeBron takes the inbound pass from Delonte West and dribbles to his right. Anderson Varejao levels Green on a screen but LeBron runs out of room at the foul line. He swings out to Mo who feeds Parker with a touch pass in the corner. And Anthony Parker celebrates day three of Hanukkah with a game winning tre. Cavs win 103-102.
Cavaliers-Thunder Preview - STATS Senior Writer - NBA - Sporting News
The Thunder are three games over .500 for the first time since 2004-05, when the team was based in Seattle and finished 52-30. Oklahoma City, the second-youngest team in the NBA, has reached 12 wins after needing 50 games to accomplish that feat last season. "They have a very, very good young (group) of basketball players that love to play the game of basketball," James said. "We are looking forward to the challenge. It is going to be a good road test for us against a young, explosive team in their home building, and we have to come out with the same fire we did in the second half (Friday)."
Star Power: Comparisons grow between Kevin Durant and LeBron James | NewsOK.com
At first glance, it’s easy to think LeBron James and Kevin Durant aren’t in the same league. Simply suggesting the two players are seemed silly this summer when the connection first gained steam. Durant’s Thunder was coming off a shameful 23-win season. James’ Cavs, meanwhile, were fresh off yet another deep playoff run. But the comparison now seems credible as the two meet for the first time this season tonight inside the Ford Center. Durant, in his third season, is blossoming into the star many projected him to become and has his Thunder off to a surprising 12-9 start. Durant also ranks fourth in the league in scoring, sitting .1 point ahead of James.
 Cavs (16-7) |
Matchups
|
 Thunder (12-9) |
 Mo Williams Some people call me Maurice |
Point GuardTonight's point guard match up will be overlooked since we will have a superstar match up on our hands. Williams is 44% from beyond the arc. Westbrook shoots 66% from three-land while facing Cleveland. One important note, Mo often leaves the ball handling responsibility to LeBron.
Slight Advantage: Thunder |
 Russell Westbrook The Constant Evolver |
|
||
 Anthony Parker Not Tony |
Shooting GuardParker is a legitimate threat with the 3-ball. He has shot over 50% this season. Thabo can contain Parker, but Thabo will likely be spending time helping guard LeBron. Just how much time Thabo spends with James will determine the result of this match up.
Advantage: Thunder |
 Thabo Sefolosha Swiss Army Defender |
|
||
 Bron Bron The King |
Small ForwardHere it is! The match up we all waited for. The summer long discussions of who is better will be re-sparked if KD can hold his own against Cleveland's Dancing Queen. Unfortunately LeBron is much quicker and stronger than Durant.
Advantage: Cavs |
 Kevin Durant The Kid |
|
||
|
|
Power Forward
Hickson's rebounding average is only 3.8 rebounds per game. Green should us this to his advantage, even though Green isn't a rebounding machine himself. Who ever wins this match up will decide the game. Advantage: Thunder |
 Jeff Green Green Energy |
|
||
|
|
CenterSo the Vanilla Gorilla poked Shaq in the eye, and the Big Whateva is listed as questionable. Either way, I don't see Krstic winning against anyone from the Cav's front court. Perhaps Thomas will get minutes tonight? Advantage: Cavs |
 Nenad KrsticMr. Comb Over |
|
||
|
|
Bench & Role PlayersSerge Ibaka and Nick Collison will face off against Curly Fries and Nosferatu (better known as Varejao and Ilgauskas). While Lucky Harden and Shaun Livingston will compete against the really athletic Jamario Moon and gun-toting Delonte West. If Harden's shots fall we will be fine, otherwise I'm expecting Moon to defy gravity. Advantage: Cavs |
James Harden |
|
||
|
|
CoachI could be completely wrong, but I believe LeBron won Brown's coach of the year. Brooks on the other hand has done a great job harnessing the Thunder. Oh yeah, don't forget the Thunder also have Mo Cheeks and Ron Adams helping from the bench. Advantage: Thunder |
 Scott Brooks Next COY |
| images via yahoo.com | ||
|
||
 |
Other Factors
|
|
|
InjuriesShaq might be out with a poked eye. Daniel Gibson injured his finger in Battier's jersey the other night. Of course Leon Powe, Kyle Weaver, and Kevin Ollie are out of commission for awhile. |
|
|
IntangiblesIf the Thunder keep this game close, LeBron will likely wear himself out. Can Sefolosha's defense and Collison's rebounding keep this game close? Will Westbrook maintain his composure? |
|
|
PredictionExpected a very energetic game from both teams. In the long run the Cavs will dominate the game with dribble penetration, while the Thunder will rely on mid-range shooting. Prediction: Cavs 98 - Thunder 93 |
|
0 recs |
94 comments
| Add comment
|
Email
Print
Comments
Whoh!
Where did that graphic come from? Left field?
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
Ah, I see.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
That's a nice looking
little matchup thingy-ma-jig you got there.
by ElectricPencils on Dec 13, 2009 3:35 PM CST up reply actions
The only Cavs player I'm rooting for is Darnell Jackson.
He is from the OKC area. In fact, I work with his aunt.
Your friendly neighborhood Loud City resident.
i used to
deliver pizzas to darnell when he played at ku. told him to work on the kareem skyhook one time. he’s a regular dude. much respect.
Shaq is starting.
I guess his eye is okay. He better watch out for Etan.
Your friendly neighborhood Loud City resident.
Love the gameday post!
Here’s hoping the Thunder can stand up to the Cavs!
KD
Cleveland is going to have to shorten the leash on KD if he keeps dropping them like this.
Pleasantly surprised
at the score.
Wish I were watching it.
by ElectricPencils on Dec 13, 2009 6:39 PM CST reply actions
compare the value
to getting ufc or boxing ppv’s.
I can't afford those either
Send me a check, and I’ll sign right up. :)
by ElectricPencils on Dec 13, 2009 7:02 PM CST up reply actions
i get all the thunder games.
i usually fall asleep to the lakers 3 nights a week
brother,
i got kd and kobe, and i’m still in second place in my league. to lebron’s team. of course.
LeBron has near half his team's points.
Guess who is going to be tired later?
Your friendly neighborhood Loud City resident.
We actually have one this year.
I’m currently in 2nd.
Your friendly neighborhood Loud City resident.
KD doing it again.
KD is putting on another show. This time he’s doing it without taking an obscene number of shots. Awesome job again.
LBJ
He’s just been sick from 3 point land tonight.
Looks like
we’re just playing LBJ tonight.
by ElectricPencils on Dec 13, 2009 8:06 PM CST reply actions
I meant
figuratively speaking.
I don’t have the game. Just the box score.
He’s got 38 and their next highest scorer has 11.
by ElectricPencils on Dec 13, 2009 8:08 PM CST up reply actions
Unfortunate swing.
Sometimes there’s just not anything you can do. I don’t disagree with any of the shots that the Thunder are taking. Sometimes the ball just doesn’t drop and when Cleveland is raining threes like that there isn’t much you can do.
by belt on Dec 13, 2009 8:22 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Sadly
the game was a lot closer than the score implies.
by ElectricPencils on Dec 13, 2009 8:32 PM CST reply actions
Rest Assured, this game will be recapped
Just after I’m done with my exams today. :-D
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan
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!
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Welcome to Loud City
Related FanShots on Welcome to Loud City
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Follow WTLC on Twitter
Follow WTLC on Facebook
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 |
Loud City - Bring The Thunder (Rafter Banner)
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
