Bulls vs. Thunder: Pregame Primer
vs. 
Chicago Bulls (21-22, 7-15 road) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (24-20, 12-9)
TV: KSBI (Cox 15, HD 715)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CST
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 105.9 (21st), Bulls – 101.6 (28th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.5 (5th), Bulls – 104.5 (9th)
Pace: Thunder – 92.1 (18th), Bulls – 92.9 (14th)
View from the enemy: By The Horns
Now starts a four-game homestand. And it’s not an easy one. Chicago, Denver, Golden State and Atlanta all stop by the Ford Center (and hopefully stay at the Skirvin amirite?) in the next week. And while coming home 2-2 from last week’s road trip was acceptable, a 2-2 stretch at home would be slightly disappointing. But with a loss tonight against Chicago, I think we might have to be hoping for 2-2. So this game is definitely important.
Let’s just get this out there: Last time Oklahoma City played Chicago, the Bulls were hot and riding a four-game win streak. The Thunder were coming off a tough loss. This time, the Bulls are coming in with three straight wins and OKC is coming off a tough one-point loss in Cleveland. Not sayin’, just sayin’. But the Bulls are definitely hot. They’re within a game of .500 and those three straight wins were all on the road against Phoenix, Houston and San Antonio. That’s pretty darn impressive. And enough reason to make Thunder fans worry about this one.
Chicago coming in: As mentioned, the Bulls are winners of three straight and have won 7 of 10. After dropping to 10-17 in late December, the Bulls have gone 11-5, with some really good wins. Vinny Del Negro was on the hottest of hot seats, but Chicago has certainly turned it around.
THE MATCHUPS
Again, here we go with Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose. It promises to be fun. In Rose’s last six, he’s averaging 26.3 ppg. And in the first meeting, Rose started hot scoring 11 first quarter points, but was locked down henceforth. While Westbrook had 29 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the meeting. So here we go with Round 2 and with Russ struggling a bit, this would be a good time to turn it on again.
Kirk Hinrich hit a lot of open jumpers in the last game and I’m sure Thabowill play him tight. But I’m also sure Thabo will guard Rose in some circumstances too. I mean, I hopeThabo guards Rose. Keeping Joakim Noah off the glass is important again and after a poor first half, the Thunder did a solid job of it last time, especially in the fourth quarter. Taj Gibsonis a good rebounder as well so like always, it’ll be key for Jeff Green, Nick Collison and Serge Ibaka to at least hold their head above water. I’m not even including Nenad Krstic here because I honestly don’t expect it.
Luol Deng will attempt to guard Kevin Durant and while KD had “just” 25 last time, he did it on only 14 shots. Deng isn’t a great defender but he is long and will have a hand near every Durant jumper. The Thunder bench gives OKC an advantage as Chicago has John Salmons, Brad Miller and Tyrus Thomas coming off the pine. That’s a whole lot of inconsistency. It’s key for the OKC second unit to give solid production.
In revenge games (where the Thunder has beat a team already) OKC is 4-6. That’s not bad especially considering the Thunder has beat some pretty good teams (it’s hard to beat Orlando, San Antonio and Memphis twice you know). In the last meeting, the Thunder locked down on Chicago, holding the Bulls to just 33 points in the second half. The Bulls aren’t a great offensive team and the defensive end is where the Thunder have the advantage and will have to win the game. This one is important for sure. I’m knocking on every piece of wood within striking distance, but the Thunder hasn’t lost three straight in over a month. Time to cut the streak right here.
Tip at 7:00 CST. Go Skirvin Ghosts.
37% FG shooting… BARF.
Man, there were some possesions on offense that were truly offensive. Harden especially looked lost at times. When I thought he should shoot, he passed and when I thought he should pass, he took a bad shot. My thigh hurts from repeatedly punching it in frustration.
On my way home from the game and really contemplating driving off a bridge! When KD isn’t on his game noone steps up and scores cosistantly. Green had me on the edge of my seat in the 1st half, the reverts into Hoodini and disappears again, but hats off to him for his aggressive play. Couldn’t say the same for #12 or Russ tho. Rose played like a #1 pick and Harden drove the basket, but wouldn’t pass to save his life.
If we don’t go on a serious winning streak say goodbye to the playoffs!
x2…
And this is one of the games that show everybody that what’s the Thunder is really about.
We need a big man with offense and defense and can rebound
Has there ever been a worse, a more irrelevant 28pt 11reb game than KD’s tonight?
Harden… dude, come on man. Pass the freakin ball or buy a booster chair to help you get to the rim…. yeeeesh.
And Kirstic… except for a stretch in the third, I’m pretty sure you forgot that it’s physically possible to get both feet off the ground at the same time.
And can somebody besides Nick please set a decent pick… for Christ’s sake!!!
And I don’t even know what to say about Russell. Did he play in the 1st, 2nd or 4th quarters??
And damnit Thabo, sink a freaking bucket once in a while.
Oh… and thanks Green. I’m glad you finally broke out of your funk…. keep up the good work.
And Durant… it’s cool man. You can’t be stellar every night. But a little more work on D next time you play Deng…. gotta play Dengfense
nope… except that he kept his 25pt game streak alive
aaaaand….. stop making the league’s most mediocre big men look like studs… when someone like Miller feels like dancing around at midcourt in the Ford Center… something MUST change!!
Nenad fishstick needs to go period and as for KD “s defense he had three blocks and two steals where were the so called big men on our team thats our problem nenad has to go it killin me