Thunder at Suns: Pregame Primer
vs. 
Oklahoma City Thunder (13-14, 6-7 road) vs. Phoenix Suns (18-10, 10-1 home)
TV: KSBI (Cox 15, HD 715)
Stream: Click Here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 8:00 CST
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 105.5 (2oth), Suns – 113.6 (2nd)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 104.5 (10th), Suns – 110.5 (27th)
Pace: Thunder – 91.9 (19th), Suns – 95.3 (5th)
View from the enemy: Valley of the Suns
The excuse is already put in place. Second night of a back-to-back, coming off an emotional loss to the Lakers, blah blah blah. While that’s reality and if OKC gets beat by 15, that’ll likely be something I mentioned in my sad recap, the truth is this is the NBA and if you want to do big things, back-to-backs shouldn’t matter that much.
The REAL excuse is that you’re playing a very good team on their home floor, where they’ve been near unbeatable. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be defeated there. It’s all about energy early for this team. I think we’ll know in the first six minutes whether we’re going to have a good game or not. Easy buckets are the lifeblood of the Suns offense and if they’re getting them in chunks early, it might be best to just shut the TV off.
Phoenix coming in: The Suns will be rested and ready for vengeance after dropping their first home game of the season Monday. After started the season 14-3, the Suns have gone 4-7 so far in December. Their home record might be scary looking, but these guys are beatable right now.
THE MATCHUPS
Two places OKC has a nice versus: small forward and… point guard. Yep, I think the Thunder has a leg up there, mainly because Russell Westbrook thrives against slower guards like Steve Nash. Look what happened last night against Derek Fisher. Russ has the speed to get around anyone, but make that someone a little slower and a little less quick and it’s a good thing for the Thunder. Now of course, Nash is awesome and a better point man than Westbrook, but in the sense of a matchup, I think this favors OKC a bit.
As for the three, of course the Thunder matches well. Kevin Durant could have a big time night, especially since it looks like he’s regained some confidence. Grant Hill will get the call to start with, but I’m sure Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley will see ample time on KD too. Regardless who it is, if KD’s shot is falling, he’s going to have a big night because he’s going to get open looks. I like Thabo guarding Richardson, who is really Phoenix’s top perimeter scorer. But inside, Jeff Green will have trouble with Amare. That’s a huge mistmatch for OKC. I would bet Serge Ibaka gets a lot of time on Stoudemire.
Some good news: Eric Maynor will join the team and is scheduled to play. Russell Westbrook, who had to play darn near the whole game last night is probably happy about that. And OKC will need him because as good as James Harden is, he’s not ready to handle point-guard duties in an exclusive sense yet.
We all know what Phoenix wants to do. And we know what the Thunder prides itself on. So it’s a pretty good clash. It’ll come down to OKC executing in the halfcourt, rebounding and getting just enough stops. After tonight the schedule lightens up. But it sure would be sweet to carry a nice unexpected win into an easier schedule. We’re all hoping for at least a .500 2009 and a win tonight would go a long way to getting there.
Tip at 8:00 CST. Go Eric Maynor.
Dudley is the best defender they have, even though Durant schooled him late . . .
It could really be top 5 if we worked around the screens better –
not that I’m greedy or anything . . .
@Kev
Greedy is good… greedy is very good.
The last 5 games, Russell has 37 assists, and 10 turnovers. Not too shabby. Especially since he’s getting about 17 points and 6 rebounds to go with those. The last two games he’s shot that pull-up jumper really well.
I for one, am glad to see him coming out of that slump.
I though James forced the issue a bit, but still played well and came up with big plays when we needed them.
Serge was awesome again.
KD was beastly.
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
I think Harden was just a bit nervous in front of his home crowd… remember RW’s last few games in LA (minus that last one)? Yuk.
RW’s pull up shot is getting better – good point . . .
I am dismayed that Harden is being more selfish on offense – maybe it’s a directive from the coach to shoot instead of pass – but he’s a great passer and we have NOT seen that lately . . .
Kev it must have come from Brooks. It’s such a departure from what he’s been doing. I’m sure he’ll find a happy medium eventually.
he’s missing guys left and right out on the edge – hopefully they look at tape and get it fixed . . .
Harden is getting to the line with frequency though, so as long as that trend continues, I’m okay with him forcing the issue a little bit.
Someone on our team needs to put pressure on the paint other than Russell. So far, our post game isn’t doing it. Maybe it will someday, but right now it isn’t, so the dribble penetration is all we have left.
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
You still put pressure on the paint by passing out to the open man. Nobody’s saying Harden shouldn’t get to the rim, but he should be smarter about his shot attempts. He literally collapsed the defense almost every time he beats his man, so someone is open somewhere for a shot. If he starts passing on those drives, which we know conceptually he’s capable of, we’ll be much better off for it.
as long as there is a balance – I just hate the offense where you “take the ball to the rim against multiple defenders and force the referee to make a call”
I wish (asssuming Brooks told him to pass less and shoot more) they would let Harden play his game – he knows when to finsih and when to kick . . .
@justin
That’s true. But you know, on the other hand, I’d rather have two free throws from Harden that an open jump shot.
Also, it’s our ONLY way to get the opponent’s big in foul trouble. That would have come in REALLY handy tonight, to get Amare in foul trouble.
@Kev
I bet Harden finds a balance soon. I think he was forcing the issue tonight, and the competition has taken a step up the last few games. I think he’ll come around.
But I’m sure the coaching staff don’t want both of their 2 guards passing up scoring opportunities coughthabocough.