Several Thunder Players Unhappy
With the way things are going, it's hard to believe that some players are unhappy. Namely JJ Redick, who claims that he hasn't been used by the Thunder right. "I'm a stats guy, and the way things are going on, I don't like it." Rumors have been going around that the Thunder are willing to let go of the Duke Sharpshooter in exchange for a scorer off the bench, and an improvement over the 2-spot. "The weakest link Oklahoma City's got is the Shooting Guard spot." Charles Barkley stated, "They have improved on the low post offense, but their backcourt has been hideous." he added.
Durant35 wrote::new: NLSC Challenge
1. How many games will the Thunder's streak will last?
2. What's gonna be Durant's average points during the streak?
3. What's gonna be Westbrook's average assists during the streak?
4. What's gonna be Ibaka's average blocks during the streak?
For each number you correctly answer, you gain two points!
Thunder get by Suns, streak goes 11
GAME RECAP | GAME STORY | TEAM STATS
Player of the Game: Kevin Durant (34 PTS, 12 REB, 4 AST and 1 BLK)
With the way things are progressing, the Thunder are again on pace for being the powerhouse everybody has imagined. Kevin Durant led a game-high 34 points en route to their eleventh consecutive win. Despite the close game, the Oklahoma City Thunder did not let the opposing team take the lead, as they led the game all the way, and had as much as 23 in the middle of the second quarter.
"Everybody did their job and hit good shots." Scott Brooks told the media. After posting another double-double with his efficient performance, the three-time scoring champion Kevin Durant stated "We're definitely in the groove tonight, but we're far from perfect. We've got to get better."Photos:
Knicks break Thunder's streak, 108-105
GAME RECAP | GAME STORY | TEAM STATS
Player of the Game: Carmelo Anthony (25 PTS, 12 REB, 3 AST, 1 BLK and 1 STL)
And there goes the Thunder's streak. Longest since it's arrival in the Oklahoma land. With a fraction of a second left, Carmelo Anthony drained a three-pointer, giving them a 3-point lead after the game was tied by Kevin Durant's and-1 layup. The famous Madison Square Garden suddenly jumped for joy, as their home team won against a legit title contender who boasted an impressive 11-game winning streak before the match.
The Thunder were very impressive during the game, and Kevin Durant exploded for 40 points, but was struggling on the floor. He shot 14-of-33, good for 42.4%, which is clearly below his standards. He also notched 4 rebounds and dished out an assist. Russell Westbrook had 24, 3 and six. In someway, the Thunder were still missing something.
Serge Ibaka had difficulty finding open looks, despite being guarded by Amare Stoudamire, who's past his prime. The Knickerbocker Forward scored 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting.Photos:
So, for the challenge.
1. 11 Games
2. 28.6 PPG (315 PTS)
3. 8.5 APG (93 AST)
4. 1.8 BPG (20 BLKS)
Woogie98 missed #3 by 0.2, so I'm giving him a .5 for effort.
Woogie98 - 0.5
Andrew_Wiggins - 0
Thunder, Durant hold off Nets, 103-95
GAME RECAP | GAME SUMMARY | TEAM STATS
Player of the Game: Kevin Durant (36 PTS, 9 REB and 3 AST)
BARCLAYS CENTER - The Oklahoma City Thunder were able to hold off the Nets, as their opponent made a 8-0 rally which trimmed their lead to 3. "We got the stops after they got hot, KD hit some big shots and Russ too." said Scott Brooks, during the post-game interview. Thunder Guard Russell Westbrook had 20 points along with 10 assists as the Thunder down the Nets in their home.
Serge Ibaka struggled from the field, converting only 30% of his 10 attempts, prompting Scott Brooks to sit him in the final minutes of the game and let the others go to work. Marreese Speights, Center, fouled out of the game with 2:46 left in the game. Rookie Alex Len was in Tulsa, and Kevin Durant went out of his way and played the 5-spot.
"It was tough man, the battles down low were physical, and you hafta have a strong footing playing in there." said Durant, who scored his team's final 6 points. "He knows what he's doing, and won't back down. I know KD, I've been playing with him my whole career." added Russell Westbrook.Photos:
Simulated Game:
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OKC @ IND: 92-95 - L
OKC: | 24 | 30 | 14 | 24 | 92
IND: | 26 | 22 | 18 | 29 | 95
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OKC @ WAS: 107-80 - W
OKC: | 28 | 32 | 16 | 31 | 107
WAS: | 22 | 28 | 18 | 12 | 80
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OKC @ ORL: 90-87 - W
OKC: | 25 | 10 | 25 | 30 | 90
ORL: | 21 | 13 | 24 | 29 | 87
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Stephen Curry wrote:Glad you got the win. I'm planning to join the draft if you're still accepting.
Mark. wrote:3 good wins and a tough loss vs Indy. Record is still looking good
Westbrook's career-high carries Thunder past Heat
GAME RECAP | GAME SUMMARY | TEAM STATS
Player of the Game: Russell Westbrook (46 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST and 3 STL)
It would seem that the Heat were about to steal this one away from the Thunder, who gave a strong performance. They finished the night hitting 53% of their shots and out scored the Heat in the final minutes of the game, sealing it with a 10-3 run, all from Russell Westbrook. The Heat had no answer to the Point Guard's fiery, intense emotion that was showcased throughout the whole game.
The Oklahoma City Thunder Guard posted a career-high 46 points on 18-of-26 and got to the line 9 times, hitting all of them. Kevin Durant notched his usual 31 points, despite the Heat's Defensive-specialist Shane Battier guarding him. He hit more than 50%, going 13 of 25 and had a 3x3, adding 3 offensive rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocks. He also had 4 assists.
Serge Ibaka was nowhere felt on the field, as he shot poorly and scoring 5 points, while nabbing 9 rebounds.Photos:
Durant's 67 points carry Thunder past Pelicans
GAME RECAP | GAME SUMMARY | TEAM STATS
Player of the Game: Kevin Durant (67 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK and 7 TOS in 39 MIN)
MINI BOXSCORE
Well, where do I start? Let me go with Kevin Durant scoring 50 points in 36 minutes? Yes, that's definitely insane. The last guy to do this was Kobe Bryant back when he scored his career-high 81 points, with 53 coming from the first three quarters. Durant scored his final 17 points on a 20-7 run that sealed the game at 130-104. "I'm not gonna lie. I knew I had 50 points during the third quarter." said Durant.
"First of all, Congrats brodie. About the game, we let him have fun," said Westbrook, "I told him go get that career-high. I told him to keep shooting and I guess he did." he added. Westbrook himself scored 35 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and had 7 assists. He also had 2 steals and a block. He shot an efficient 16-of-23 from the field. "This is it. KD has evolved again." said Brooks, who was stunned like a fan as he saw Durant make those shots.
"It was definitely easy for him, to score 60 on 26 shots, while shooting over 50%. I can never do that in my life." he added. Serge Ibaka also had a second quarter spurt, where he scored all of his 7 points, whilst grabbing 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and his customary 3 blocks. When asked about his teammate's 60 point game, "It's definitely easy for him. He already reached the 60-point mark two times, last season and today."Photos:
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