Well, this result should come as a surprise to no one. Yet, I'm having a bit of trouble writing this recap, as I didn't DVR it, and I was half-asleep at the game. I know, it's generally impossible to sleep with all of the ruckus of a Thunder game going on, but after being up for 24 hours, it's not that hard to nod off now and then.
But, fortunately, I do remember some things. I remember how the game was relatively close in the first half, but the Thunder consistently gained a 7 or so point lead in the second half. I remember how Stephen Jackson got a technical foul, just like good old times. I remember how I was too tried to stand up, so I missed the opportunity to get a free basketball from Rumble. And I also remember some things analysis-wise, so look below for all of that.
I remember thinking how Stephen Jackson was doing most of the scoring, but at that same time, thinking he was missing a lot of shots. My memory served me right, because while he had 24 Points, he also had 9-26 shooting, which is pretty sub-par for a team's leading scorer.
I also remember Nazr Mohammed and Nenad Krstic having a totally awesome center battle. It's about as good as Center battles are going to get for the Thunder, as our center isn't that good. They had almost identical stat lines, with Krstic going 6 of 10, scoring 13 Points and grabbing 10 rebounds, and Mohammed going 7 of 10, scoring 16 Points and grabbing 8 Rebounds. At one point in the first, they scored 3 baskets in a row, and there were occasions where one would score on the other, yet the other would respond immediately with a score of his own. You love to see stuff like that. Krstic didn't do well enough to warrant an award, but for lack of better performances on his team,Nazr Mohammed earns the Thunder Plunderer award. He did a great job stepping up in Chandler's absence.
And, in a surprising twist of events, Jeff Green failed against a team that largely small-balled it the entire time, something which he usually excels as. It just seemed not to be his day, as I remember him missing countless shots from the floor, to the point of the guy behind me demanding that he be benched. Thus, he gets tonight'sThunder Blunder award. Durant had a great game, as always. His 30 Points, 6 Rebounds, and 4 Assists snatch him up yet another Thunder Wonder award. Westbrook also easily takes the Thunder Down Under award, with his 22 Points, 5 Rebounds, and 6 Assists.
It was also a great game for the Thunder Bench. Nick Collison had to face a small lineup most of the time, so he got nearly a double double. Eric Maynor went perfect from the field for 7 points, but didn't do much else. James Hardenhad a excellent 8 Points, 4 Rebounds, 2 Assists, and 2 Steals. Ibaka was a bit off of the rails, racking up 3 fouls, 0-4 Shooting, and 3 Rebounds in 10 minutes.
Next Game: At the New Jersey Nets, Monday, December 28th, 6:30 PM Central Standard Time
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