OKC - 2011/12 - Thunder Three-peat

[Phil89]

Originally I was just uploading the clip of the dunk by Gay (posted above), but then I saw that pose and had to use it as the picture for the game.

[Phil89]

22/4/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [59-19] vs Memphis Grizzlies [30-50]

Durant has monster night as Thunder get win number 60



Oklahoma City continue their quest for win number 60 for the season and tonight they travel to Memphis in hope of securing it.
They started the game well and had a good early lead, but the Grizzlies came back late in the quarter. Thunder lead 24-22 after one.
More of the same in the second quarter as both teams appeared to be evenly matched. Thunder lead 51-47 at the end of an entertaining half.
The third quarter was just as open as the first half. The game was shaping up as a classic. Oklahoma City lead 81-75 with one to play.
Out of nowhere though the Thunder exploded in the fourth and piled on the points. They ran out 18 point winners, 116-98.
Kevin Durant scored an incredible 56 points. He looked to be on a scoring mission after his long streak got ended against Minnesota.

Player of the Game: Kevin Durant

OKC - 24 27 30 35 116
MEM - 22 25 28 23 98

Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 56
Rudy Gay - 30
Mike Conley - 24

Assists
Russell Westbrook - 7
Mike Comley - 7
OJ Mayo - 5

Rebounds
Marc Gasol - 10
Jeff Green - 8
Hasheem Thabeet - 7

Video Highlights
Rudy Gay fluke shot off the top of the backboard.

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Unselfish play by Rudy Gay, who passes to Kevin Durant for a reverse dunk.

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[Phil89]

24/4/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [60-19] vs Memphis Grizzlies [30-51]

Durant does it again as Thunder make it 2 wins in a row in Memphis



Oklahoma City returned to Memphis 2 nights after beating the Grizzlies for the second game of a double header.
This time the Thunder dominated from the beginning. They piled on the points to lead by 10 at the first break, 31-21.
They continued scoring in the second and also stopped Memphis' offense as well. Thunder lead 58-36 at the half.
Both teams scored freely in the third as defensive pressure was lifted. Oklahoma City lead 86-65 with one to play.
The Thunder ran away with the game in the fourth and eventually ran out comfortable 30 point winners, 117-87.
Kevin Durant again had a monster night against the Grizzlies. He scored 55 points and was totally unstoppable.
In the four meetings between the teams this season, he has scored 33, 39, 56 and 55, at an average of 46 ppg.

Player of the Game: Kevin Durant

OKC - 31 27 28 31 117
MEM - 21 15 29 22 87

Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 55
Jeff Green - 23
OJ Mayo - 23
Rudy Gay - 18
Mike Conley - 18

Assists
Mike Conley - 9
Russell Westbrook - 7

Rebounds
Marc Gasol - 14
Jeff Green - 12
Zach Randolph - 12
Ben Wallace - 10

Video Highlights
Kevin Durant finishes a Thunder fast break with a big dunk.

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Jeff Green powerful slam over his defender.

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James Harden 3 point play in the fourth quarter.

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[Andrew]

Awesome effort with the back-to-back 50+ point games. You certainly rebound well from losses!

[Phil89]

25/4/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [61-19] vs New Orleans Hornets [37-43]

Durant scores 50 as Thunder produce epic comeback to beat Hornets



Oklahoma City travelled to New Orleans to take on the hornets. The Hornets decided to wear their 2007 OKC alternate jerseys for the game.
The game started well for both teams and neither could get any major advantage. Thunder lead by 3 at the first break, 24-21.
New Orleans produced a stunning second quarter and got out to a 7 point lead by the half, 49-42. Chris Paul was playing well early.
The Hornets continued their impressive run in the third and the Thunder had no answer. Hornets lead 84-67 with one to play.
Down by 17 and with no real offensive rhythm, no one really expected the Thunder to challenge the Hornets in the fourth.
But that's exactly what they did. They showed the spirit that has helped them win games from behind this season.
With 2:40 left the Thunder had the game tied at 92-92. Similar to the T-Wolves game, but they were hoping for a win this time.
Rudy Gay managed to get to the rim for an impressive dunk to give the Thunder a 102-100 lead with 26 seconds remaining.
Chris Paul then hit a jump shot from just inside the arc from a James Posey inbound to level the game at 102-102.
With 3.6 seconds remaining after a time-out, the Thunder had the ball just inside their half. Rudy Gay passed to Westbrook.
He immediately looked for Durant and found him just outside the three point line on the far side of the court.
With less than a second to go he put up a jump shot and got fouled. The shot went in with 0.1 seconds left on the clock.
He made the free throw to complete the 3 point play and secure a stunning comeback win for the Thunder.
Durant lead his team back into the game and finished with 50 points, his third straight game scoring 50 or more.

Player of the Game: Kevin Durant

OKC - 24 18 25 38 105
NOH - 21 28 35 18 102

Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 50
Chris Paul - 28
Rudy Gay - 22
David West - 18

Assists
Chris Paul - 7
James Posey - 6
Russell Westbrook - 6

Rebounds
Emeka Okafor - 17
Ben Wallace - 12
Jeff Green - 10

Video Highlights
Wallace to Durant alley-oop.

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Rudy Gay spectacular slam after getting the offensive rebound.

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Rudy Gay with an emthatic dunk to give the Thunder a 102-100 lead with 26 seconds left.

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Kevin Durant completes a 3 point play with 0.1 seconds left to give the Thunder a 105-102 win.

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[Phil89]

Awesome effort with the back-to-back 50+ point games. You certainly rebound well from losses!

Durant is a scoring machine. 56, 55, 50 in his last 3 games. Not bad form just before the Play-offs.

Last game of the regular season up next in San Antonio. Looking for a 4-0 sweep of the season series against the Spurs.

[Phil89]

27/4/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [62-19] vs San Antonio Spurs [42-39]

Thunder sweep season series against Spurs with win in San Antonio



Oklahoma City travelled to San Antonio for the last game of the regular season guaranteed top spot in the West and best record in the NBA.
Ironically, if the Spurs get beaten by the Thunder tonight they will remain in 8th spot and will face them in the first round of the Play-offs.
The Thunder went on a scoring spree in the first quarter. The Spurs just couldn't stop them from scoring. Thunder lead 42-26 at the first break.
Both teams piled on the points in the second, but it was much more balanced than the first. The Thunder lead by 17 at he half, 70-53.
The Spurs tried to mount a comeback in the third, mainly thanks to Richard Jefferson. They reduced the lead to 12 with one to play, 89-77.
They continued their run at the start of the fourth and managed to get within 4 points at one stage midway through the quarter.
However, the Thunder rallied and went on to win comfortably by 19 points, 125-106. Durant had 37 points and 8 rebounds for the game.
Tony Parker had an excellent night for the Spurs. He finished with 22 points and 15 assists.
Both teams now look ahead to their match up in the first round of the Play-offs, which begins in Oklahoma City next week.

Player of the Game: Kevin Durant

OKC - 42 28 19 36 125
SAS - 26 27 24 29 106

Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 37
Rudy Gay - 29
Richard Jefferson - 29
Jeff Green - 25
Tony Parker - 22

Assists
Tony Parker - 15
Tim Duncan - 6
Russell Westbrook - 5

Rebounds
Tim Duncan - 11
Ben Wallace - 11
Antonio McDyess - 9
Jeff Green - 8
Kevin Durant - 8
Matt Bonner - 8

Video Highlights
Rudy Gay driving to the basket and finishing with an emphatic dunk.

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Jeff Green beats Duncan then dunks over Matt Bonner.

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[Phil89]

1/5/10

Regular Season Review

Conference Standings

Eastern Conference
1. CLE [49-33]
2. IND [48-34]
3. BOS [47-35]
4. CHA [45-37]
5. NYK [45-37]
6. CHI [44-38]
7. ORL [44-38]
8. TOR [42-40]

Missing out
MIA [39-43] - No Play-offs for D-Wade this season. Could this influence his decisions in the upcoming off-season?
ATL [34-48] - The Hawks never got going this season and never really looked like making the Play-offs.


Western Conference
1. OKC [63-19]
2. LAL [56-26]
3. PHX [55-27]
4. HOU [49-33]
5. POR [49-33]
6. DAL [43-39]
7. UTA [43-39]
8. SAS [42-40]

Missing out
DEN [40-42] - Melo and his Nuggets left themselves with too much to do late in the season.
NOH [38-44] - Chris Paul couldn't lift his team into the Play-offs this season.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Individual Awards

Most Valuable Player
Kevin Durant - 21 - SF - OKC
31.2 PPG - 5.7 RPG - 1.8 BPG - 1.2 SPG - 2.3 APG

Most Improved Player
Travis Diener - 28 - PG - IND
10.3 PPG - 2.0 RPG - 0.0 BPG - 1.2 SPG - 4.3 APG

Defensive Player of the Year
Russell Westbrook - 21 - PG - OKC
8.4 PPG - 2.1 RPG - 1.0 BPG - 2.7 SPG - 7.4 APG

Rookie of the Year
Stephen Curry - 22 - PG GSW
15.4 PPG - 1.1 RPG - 0.7 BPG - 1.1 SPG - 6.1 APG

Sixth man of the Year
Raymond Felton - 25 - PG CHA
10.5 PPG - 1.0 RPG - 0.0 BPG - 0.7 SPG - 3.7 APG

Coach of the Year
Scott Brooks - OKC
Win Percentage - 76.829 - Home - 30-11 - Away - 33-8

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Team Awards

All NBA team 1
C - Dwight Howard - ORL - 10.5 PPG - 10.3 RPG - 2.3 BPG - 0.6 SPG - 0.6 APG
PF - Amare Stoudemire - PHX - 13.0 PPG - 9.2 RPG - 1.8 BPG - 0.9 SPG - 1.1 APG
SF - Kevin Durant - OKC - 31.2 PPG - 5.7 RPG - 1.8 BPG - 1.2 SPG - 2.3 APG
SG - Kobe Bryant - LAL - 21.6 PPG - 2.8 RPG - 1.1 BPG - 1.4 SPG - 3.7 APG
PG - Steve Nash - PHX - 23.9 PPG - 1.4 RPG - 0.1 BPG - 1.3 SPG - 6.7 APG


All NBA team 2
C - Al Jefferson - LAL - 8.0 PPG - 9.9 RPG - 2.2 BPG - 0.7 SPG - 0.7 APG
PF - Dirk Nowitzki - DAL - 15.7 PPG - 9.3 RPG - 1.2 BPG - 0.8 SPG - 1.2 APG
SF - Rudy Gay - OKC - 24.1 PPG - 5.3 RPG - 1.6 BPG - 1.5 SPG - 2.5 APG
SG - Dwyane Wade - MIA - 26.0 PPG - 3.3 RPG - 1.4 BPG - 1.7 SPG - 3.4 APG
PG - Deron Williams - UTA - 19.8 PPG - 1.7 RPG - 0.0 BPG - 1.4 SPG - 5.9 APG


All Defensive team 1
C - Al Horford - PHX - 5.7 PPG - 9.3 RPG - 1.8 BPG - 0.6 SPG - 0.9 APG
PF - Marcus Camby - POR - 8.2 PPG - 10.0 RPG - 2.1 BPG - 0.9 SPG - 1.0 APG
SF - Josh Smith - ATL - 12.7 PPG - 4.7 RPG - 2.0 BPG - 1.3 SPG - 1.4 APG
SG - Dwyane Wade - MIA - 26.0 PPG - 3.3 RPG - 1.4 BPG - 1.7 SPG - 3.4 APG
PG - Russell Westbrook - OKC - 8.4 PPG - 2.1 RPG - 1.0 BPG - 2.7 SPG - 7.4 APG


All Defensive team 2
C - Al Jefferson - LAL - 8.0 PPG - 9.9 RPG - 2.2 BPG - 0.7 SPG - 0.7 APG
PF - LaMarcus Aldridge - POR - 10.6 PPG - 8.9 RPG - 1.8 BPG - 0.8 SPG - 0.6 APG
SF - Rudy Gay - OKC - 24.1 PPG - 5.3 RPG - 1.6 BPG - 1.5 SPG - 2.5 APG
SG - Kobe Bryant - LAL - 21.6 PPG - 2.8 RPG - 1.1 BPG - 1.4 SPG - 3.7 APG
PG - Kirk Hinrich - CHI - 13.9 PPG - 1.9 RPG - 0.5 BPG - 1.3 SPG - 4.0 APG


Rookie team 1
C - BJ Mullens - OKC - 5.9 PPG - 3.5 RPG - 0.8 BPG - 0.2 SPG - 0.7 APG
PF - Blake Griffin - LAC - 9.4 PPG - 7.4 RPG - 1.2 BPG - 0.5 SPG - 0.9 APG
SF - Tyreke Evans - SAC - 11.7 PPG - 2.2 RPG - 0.1 BPG - 1.1 SPG - 4.0 APG
SG - Jonny Flynn - MIN - 25.5 PPG - 3.2 RPG - 0.0 BPG - 1.2 SPG - 5.9 APG
PG - Stephen Curry - GSW - 15.4 PPG - 1.1 RPG - 0.7 BPG - 1.1 SPG - 6.1 APG


Rookie team 2
C - Earl Clark - PHX - 5.1 PPG - 2.2 RPG - 0.2 BPG - 0.6 SPG - 0.3 APG
PF - Jordan Hill - NYK - 2.0 PPG - 5.0 RPG - 1.3 BPG - 0.3 SPG - 0.3 APG
SF - Terrence Williams - NJN - 7.2 PPG - 2.7 RPG - 0.3 BPG - 0.5 SPG - 0.6 APG
SG - David Andersen - HOU - 2.6 PPG - 4.5 RPG - 0.8 BPG - 0.3 SPG - 0.2 APG
PG - Jrue Holiday - PHI - 4.8 PPG - 0.5 RPG - 0.0 BPG - 0.7 SPG - 3.5 APG

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Season Series against each team

Eastern Conference

Atlantic
BOS - W - 2-0
NJN - W - 2-0
NYK - D - 1-1
PHI - D - 1-1
TOR - D - 1-1

Central
CHI - W - 2-0
CLE - D - 1-1
DET - W - 2-0
IND - D - 1-1
MIL - W - 2-0

Southeast
ATL - D - 1-1
CHA - W - 2-0
MIA - W - 2-0
ORL - D - 1-1
WAS - W - 2-0

Western Conference

Northwest
DEN - L - 1-3
MIN - D - 2-2
POR - W - 2-0
UTA - D - 1-1

Pacific
GSW - W - 3-1
LAL - W - 3-1
LAC - W - 3-1
PHX - W - 3-1
SAC - W - 4-0

Southwest
DAL - W - 3-1
HOU - W - 4-0
MEM - W - 4-0
NOH - W - 3-1
SAS - W - 4-0

Denver were the only team to win a season series against the Thunder. They won a game in Oklahoma City early in the season and both home games.
The Thunder were 18-2 against Southwest division teams for the season. They also won each series against Pacific division teams.
Sweeps against Boston, New Jersey, Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, Charlotte, Miami and Washington in the East.
And Portland, Sacramento, Houston, Memphis and San Antonio in the West.

[Phil89]

So Oklahoma City enter their first Play-off series against one of the most successful teams of the last decade in the San Antonio Spurs.
Although, they did win all 4 games against the Spurs this season, including their last game which was in San Antonio.
In the East there is a rematch of last years thrilling series, as the Bulls and Celtics once again face off. Hopefully it will live up to the hype.
-----

Any tips for who's going to get through to the Conference Semi Finals?

[Andrew]

Great finish to the season, Durant is heating up again at just the right time. Fantastic season, congrats on the All-NBA selections and Durant's MVP award, nice to see the game rewarded you for his performance. Great work with the regular season recap, good luck in the Playoffs!

[Phil89]

Thanks, took me over an hour to put that post together. Glad to finally have all 82 games completed and looking forward to the Playoffs.

Maybe I should have posted those last few games a bit apart. But I was excited to start the Playoffs.

Coming back from 17 points down at the end of the 3rd quarter to win against the Hornets was my proudest moment of the season.

Judging by my form this season it could be an easy road to the Finals. First the Spurs, who I beat 4-0 this season. If I beat them it's Houston or Portland, who I beat 4-0 and 2-0 respectively. If I get to the Conference Final I'm tipping I'll play either the Lakers or the Suns. Who I beat 3-1 each.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Pacers and the Knicks get through also. Bulls have a good chance too.

[Andrew]

Nah, I think you did the right thing getting the regular season over and done with within a few posts so you can move on to the Playoffs. It flowed well with the three straight 50 point games, with only a couple left there was really no point delaying it.

[Clutch]

great run to finish out the season! a few things:

· Durant is a BEAST! 50x3
· Surprising to see ATL and DEN NOT make the playoffs
· Awesome to see Westbrook capture Def Player of the Year (don't think I've ever seen that)
· Great job on 'Awards' in general - OKC's building a nice little trophy room (but still missing THE prize of prizes)
· Cool to see Steph Curry capture RotY
· I'm thinking LBJ comes out of the East to meet KD in the Finals… KD FTW

GL in the Playoffs!

[Phil89]

Atlanta were never going to make the Playoffs. They were near the bottom of the Eastern Conference all year. Plus they traded Horford away.
Denver just left it too late. They could have made it in but lost too many games late in the season.

Curry was amazing when I played the Warriors. In the four games he scored 32, 34, 23 and 32. Fully deserves the award.

Cleveland were the form team in the East late in the season and LeBron was playing well and made it into the top 5 for scoring I think.

I might get to play the first game against the spurs tomorrow.

[kibaxx7]

You were right, that pic against the Wolves topped Mullens's...

Good luck against the Spurs!

[megarover]

Congrats of all the achievement this year.Surprised by Westbrook's Defensive Player of the Year award though. Btw how does Spurs roster look like? Did they make any changes

[Martti.]

Suck it, Gasol!

Best of luck in the Playoffs.

[Phil89]

Congrats of all the achievement this year.Surprised by Westbrook's Defensive Player of the Year award though. Btw how does Spurs roster look like? Did they make any changes

Westbrook lead the league in steals and averaged a block every game.

Spurs are basically the same as real life, only I couldn't trade Ginobili back from the Lakers because he was injured.

Starting 5 is McDyess, Duncan, Jefferson, Mason, Parker. I think.

[Phil89]

??/5/10

Oklahoma City Thunder [0-0] vs San Antonio Spurs [0-0]

Rudy Gay lifts Thunder to victory after big fourth



After finishing top in the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder found themselves facing the San Antonio Spurs in their first Playoff series in their new city.
Expectations were high as they had beaten the Spurs 4-0 during the regular season and had finished with the best record of any team in the NBA.
The first game of the series took place in a sold out Ford Center in Oklahoma City. This was the first experience of Playoffs for most Thunder players.
They got off to an excellent start early. Leading 19-18 midway through the first quarter, the Thunder went on an 11-0 run to race out to an early lead.
Rudy Gay had 11 points for the Thunder in the first quarter. Oklahoma City lead 32-22 at the first break and showed no signs of nerves.
However, in the second it seemed the occasion got to the young Thunder players as the experienced Spurs players lifted and went on a run.
The Spurs came back into the game thanks to Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. They lead 50-46 at the half and looked like taking an upset win.
San Antonio continued to press on in the third and midway through the quarter threatened to run away with the game.
But the Thunder responded and went on a 9-0 run to get back into the contest. San Antonio still lead by 4 with one to play, 82-78.
During the break the crowd lifted their volume and let the players know that they were right behind them.
For the first half of the fourth quarter both teams traded baskets and the lead changed a few times. Then Rudy Gay stepped up.
He lead the Thunder on a 14-2 run that ultimately set up the win. He scored 14 of his 33 points in the fourth.
Oklahoma City held on to win 109-101 and take a 1-0 lead in the series. Just the start the team was looking for to give them confidence.
Kevin Durant stepped up for his team and showed why he was voted MVP this season. He finished with 38 points.
Ben Wallace had a monster game at the defensive end. He collected 17 rebounds and blocked a few shots as well.
Both teams have a couple days rest before they do it all again, right here at the Ford Center.


Player of the Game: Kevin Durant

OKC - 32 14 32 31 109
SAS - 22 28 32 19 101

Top Scorers
Kevin Durant - 38
Rudy Gay - 33
Richard Jefferson - 24
Tony Parker - 22
Roger Mason - 19

Assists
Tony Parker - 12
Jeff Green - 7

Rebounds
Ben Wallace - 17
Antonio McDyess - 11
Tim Duncan - 11
Jeff Green - 9
Richard Jefferson - 8

Video Highlights
Kevin Durant finishes a Thunder fast break in style.

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Durant with the spin move and emphatic dunk.

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Rudy Gay steals the ball, then passes to Jeff Green who slams it home.

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West
SAS @ OKC - 101-109 - OKC leads 1-0
POR @ HOU - 138-151 - HOU leads 1-0
DAL @ PHX - 117-102 - DAL leads 1-0
UTA @ LAL - 109-100 - UTA leads 1-0

East
TOR @ CLE - 90-98 - CLE leads 1-0
NYK @ CHA - 50-74 - CHA leads 1-0
CHI @ BOS - 75-72 - CHI leads 1-0
ORL @ IND - 71-84 - IND leads 1-0

[Phil89]

I'm guessing the Portland/Houston game went into overtime. But I think the New York/Charlotte game is just the stupid sim engine again.

The East was a lot tighter than the West this season, so maybe that's why they scored less in their games.

[Bucket]

Indiana win Orlando in first game...
Nice win in first game. I think this series is a short.

[kibaxx7]

Good to see Indy winning their first game. Also the sim engine did a terrible job, first with the Rockets/Blazers OT (I suppose) and then Bobcats-Knicks...

[megarover]

Wow I am so suprised to see IND beat ORL. Nice to see Gay and Durant combine for 71 points.

[Andrew]

Great start to the Playoffs! Hope you can get the sweep in the first round.

[Phil89]

Indiana win Orlando in first game...
Nice win in first game. I think this series is a short.

Good to see Indy winning their first game. Also the sim engine did a terrible job, first with the Rockets/Blazers OT (I suppose) and then Bobcats-Knicks...

Wow I am so suprised to see IND beat ORL. Nice to see Gay and Durant combine for 71 points.

Indiana are playing really well in this game, especially Danny Granger. He was in MVP consideration early in the season. (Denver traded Melo for him)
The sim engine has been pretty terrible, particularly with low scores in the East.

Great start to the Playoffs! Hope you can get the sweep in the first round.

Thanks, I hope so too. The Spurs are a tough opponent to defend against, even without Ginobili.

My internet has been running slow the last few days, hence the lack of updates. Should be running normal again tomorrow though.
I should be able to post first round results