Forget Charlotte, Oklahoma City destroys Toronto 115-89
Ron Turenne/NBAE/Getty Images
Wednesday in Charlotte, the Thunder built a 19-point lead with just over two minutes to go in the first half. The game had the looks of a cruise control blowout. Then the Thunder got sloppy, turned the ball over and allowed the Bobcats to cut the lead to seven before halftime and build valuable momentum going to the locker room.
Tonight? Oklahoma City wasn’t about to let it happen again. The Thunder led by 19 with 2:45 left in the half against Toronto tonight and instead of falling on their faces, OKC extended the lead to 27 and basically ended the game right then and there. You want Coach of the Year material for Scott Brooks? Here’s your Coach of the Year material. Brooks put his team through a rough and tumble, physical, intense practice Thursday after the loss in Charlotte. He was making and stressing the point to his young squad that under no circumstances can you take your foot off the pedal. I think his group got the message.
It all resulted in a 115-89 domination of the Raptors, a game that certainly made Thunder fans forget Wednesday. OKC just absolutely owned the game. The Thunder shot 26 free throws in the first half, making 23 (29-33 for the game). Kevin Durant scored 31 in three quarters and hit 17-18 from the stripe (15-15 in the first half). OKC took 21 more shots than Toronto. The Thunder controlled the glass 53-37 and grabbed 20 offensive rebounds. And an underrated, but key stat: OKC turned it over just nine times, including five through the first three quarters. Boomshakalaka.
Oh, and one more thing before we go to bullets: Serge Freaking Chewblaka Ibaka. His putback jam in the second quarter deserves more than a little bullet. That was definitely the best in-game dunk of the year and maybe my favorite Thunder dunk yet. It was just disgustingly, ridiculously, horrifyingly something-ly awesome. I think he broke the entire city of Toronto with that one. It says it all. I thought the other follow against the Bobcats would be a SportsCenter Top 10. But if this one isn’t, I’m flying to Bristol personally. It was the type of play where you leap instinctively off the couch, yell something loudly and look to high-five anything around you, even if it’s an inanimate object. A candle holder on my coffee table got a few slaps.
Notes:
- Shame Mustafa Shakur wasn’t active for this one. It would’ve been a perfect game for him to play four or five minutes.
- Russell Westbrook completely controlled this game. Eleven points and 10 assists in just 26 minutes. He was just completely solid.
- Jeff Green went third quarter crazy. He scored 12 points and hit three 3s in the period. Green finished with 25 points and seven rebounds.
- Kyle Weaver! After getting a small call-out, and scoring zero points in three games, the Dreamweaver hit four 3s and scored 12 points. The two treys he hit in the first half were actually pretty big. He’s just a great, heady defender that’s always tipping passes and blocking shots – he’s just disruptive - so add some offense and he’s a nice piece. He was more aggressive and actually looked for his shot a little tonight.
- I want to point out Westbrook’s one-handed, left-handed bounce pass to Thabo on a fast break with seven minutes left in the first quarter. Thabo missed, but it was an extremely impressive pass. A good example of the improvement of Westbrook’s passing ability and court vision.
- KD took a pretty hard spill in the second quarter. He landed hard on his tailbone. Safe to say, I screeched like a small girl.
- One thing I’ve been meaning to point out for some time, but always forget: As great a coach as Scott Brooks is, he’s not a good referee complainer. He just looks awkward. He’s got this thing where he always has one hand holding his belt and motions with the other hand. It just looks forced. Good thing that has absolutely nothing to do with coaching ability.
- Second chance points for OKC 27-4 over Toronto. Fast break points 30-10.
- One more time: SERRRRRRGE. Go back and watch Eric Maynor’s expression after it. It says it all. Oh and while Ibaka’s dunk was the highlight of the night, he also had two great blocks on Chris Bosh at the rim.
- The one bummer: KD has now missed 11 straight 3-pointers.
- Is there anything like making another home crowd boo their boys? That’s got to be a great feeling.
- In two games against Toronto, one of the best offensive teams in the league, OKC is allowing just 94 points a game.
- I don’t know where to exactly pinpoint Toronto’s defensive issues, but if I were to attempt to simplify it, it’s just each player just doesn’t stop his man. The defensive is constantly trying to rotate and help because there’s just not the effort to stop the man in front of you. They allow easy penetration, which for a team like OKC that shares the ball, the ball moves well and there are a bunch of open looks.
Every now and then, after the Thunder drops a game like they did in Charlotte, those little thoughts start to creep into our minds. Is this team really a contender? Is the youth starting to show? Should we be worried about a late season collapse? And then like a bucket of ice water to the face, this team slaps us and plays one like this. It’s just example No. 1,000 of how far these guys have come. Instead of letting a loss linger, they got in the practice gym, worked hard and redeemed themselves on the court. I can tell you, as frustrated I felt after the Charlotte game, it was the opposite tonight. Any time not one starter plays in the fourth quarter, it’s a good thing.
Next up: At Indiana Sunday afternoon at 1:30 CDT.
Is that Collison screaming at the end of Serge’s dunk?
Jeff Green attempted 10 three pointers. That’s weird. Gonna watch the game now. It’ll be a lot more fun knowing we’re gonna blow them away.
0-11 from 3,it is not good for KD.We dont hope every team is like Tor that dont know what is D and Weaver can get 12 from 3 every game
collison’s reaction to serge’s dunk (you know the one) is priceless.
Interesting game tonight between Phoenix and Utah, since we’re jammed between the two. Either we gain ground on Utah, or Phoenix loses ground on us. On the other hand, either we lose ground on Utah, or Phoenix gains on us. I’m totally not sure what I want to happen right now.
Defensive Breakdown
Yes, it was another beatdown on the Raptors – this time they had no excuses with Bosh playing. The team score came up +42, which is great considering it was a road game against a (current) playoff team. I like how the end of the bench guys came in and kept up the intensity. Bosh got his points, but the team made him work for it.
Kyle Weaver (+13)
He “padded” his defensive score with three steals late, but he got two blocks as well early in the contest.
Thabo Sefolosha (+9)
Thabo was roughed up by Stephen Jackson on Wednesday, but he came back with a strong effort (and only two mistakes). I will breakdown one of his good plays. The Raptors were off and running in transition. Jose Calderon was in the middle of the court; Demar Derozan (Thabo) was on the right wing. Thabo had been in the middle tracking Andrea Bargnani, but after Durant came over to help, Thabo was free to concentrate on his assignment. But the distraction gave Demar a half-step on Thabo. Calderon passed the ball to Derozan while he was in full stride. Derozan headed to the goal and appeared to have Thabo beat. Some guards just give up at this point; but not Thabo. He shuffled his feet parallel to Derozan’s path – this way he didn’t run into him and get a foul called. Derozan quickly ran out of room and stepped on the out of bounds line while attempting a pass. This only shows up in the traditional box score as a turnover, but here Thabo gets the credit.
Serge Ibaka (+7)
The play of the game occurred in the second quarter. Chris Bosh was working on Nick Collison on the right block. Bosh executed a spin move past Collison. I bet Bosh had already given himself two points. Heck, I was getting ready to type -2 by Collison on my spreadsheet for getting posted up. Serge Ibaka seemingly came from nowhere and turned away Bosh at the rim. It was perfect timing, and I rewound the play several times to enjoy the precision of it.
Nenad Krstic (+6)
Krstic alternated between guarding Bargnani and Bosh, and did a good job on both. My notes show that Bosh only scored on him once in the post. Meanwhile, he had five blocks or contests on Raptors’ post men. He also found time to contest the shots of two guards (Calderon and Derozan).
Jeff Green (+5)
You’re in good hands with Jeff Green (yes, that was corny). Still, Green showed his quick hands early in the first quarter. In transition, Green found himself guarding point guard Calderon. Mismatch right? Especially since Calderon had the ball and the dribble at the free throw line. Green had good defensive position, and forced Calderon to pick up his dribble. Calderon then saw Bargnani cut toward the goal. After Jose attempted the pass, Green used his hands to tip the ball away and to give the Thunder possession on the break.
Kevin Ollie (+3)
Etan Thomas (+3)
Eric Maynor (+2)
Russell Westbrook (zero)
Kevin Durant (-1)
D J White (-2)
Nick Collison (-3)
On a great defensive night, it is really shocking to see Collison this low, but he had issues with Bargnani and Bosh (as soon as he came in the game).
This game stats and related final result are a textbook example of the importance of offensive rebounds.
Grant Long had the line of the night after Ibaka’s dunk. During a short break on the other end he said they had Ibaka off to the side, stuffing his parachute back in.
@Royce:
Unless, of course, all your starters have fouled out before the fourth. Then there’s nothing good about it.
@M.J.
Touche.
Incredible Blocking And Killer Athleticism strikes again!
At the same time the TSN announcer called Ibaka’s dunk nasty, Brian Davis called Ibaka “Dr. Nasty.” That got a comment on Sports Center tonight.
Don’t worry bout going to bristol royce I saw the dunk at number 3 on the top 10
I didn’t get to watch the game tonight, but I was proud to see my boy iBlocka make the SportsCenter highlights. Good rebound after a bad loss. Another step to compete with the Jazz for the fourth.
They also lost to the Suns tonight; double victory!
Ibaka with Collison, team averages +2.4 per 48 minutes. Ibaka with any and everybody else averages -7.9 so far.
Anybody else as a big, that is.
Ibaka with Collison is awful offense (Nick’s general positive impact on offense not saving them when with Ibaka) but the defense is amazingly good- under 90 pts per 100 possessions and they come out a bit ahead.
Ibaka without Collison the offense is still awful, though slightly better than with Collison; but the defense without, while still very good, is 12 pts per 48 less amazing than Ibaka with Collison.
I think Collison’s basketball IQ matches up perfectly with Ibaka’s athleticism on defense. Ibaka can take more chances and knows he had the benefit of a “stay at home” defender playing behind him
Correction, that 90 pts I mentioned for Ibaka with Collison was per 48 minutes, not per 100 possessions. Per 100 possessions it would be a defensive efficiency of about 96 and change. Not quite as amazing but still very very good.
Make the same correction for Ibaka without Collison and that defense is way worse than team average and is even a bit worse than league average.
Take Ibaka with Collison minutes out of the team stats, the remaining team defense would rank 10th in the league instead of 6th.
Yeah one guy should stay home, usually the guy covering the PF. No more than one should take chances or even just help.
Take Ibaka with Collison minutes out of the team stats, the remaining team offense would move up 3 spots and be above league average, so it is a tradeoff.
I’m sorry, but I hope to God that I never have to hear Brian Davis utter the name “Dr. Nasty” ever again. I cringe when I think about it now.
That just sounds like a bad porno.
Anyone notices Drake in the video right beside the man that was standing up in the crowd?
You’re kidding right? Dr. Nasty would be one of the most bad ass nick names in NBA history, the only question is whether Ibaka can grow into it. Love him, but Dr. Nasty is, well, a nasty nick name.
Dr. Nasty is a terrible nickname for Ibaka.
Ibaka would be a sophmore in college right now, Harden a junior, Durant a senior, Westbrook a junior. How mean would that college team be , unstoppable. March madness.
Hey Royce, I think the Raptors had all their starters on the bench in the 4th quarter, and for them, that definitely was NOT a good thing!!!
Before the Charlotte game, I thought to myself, which team would be tougher for us to play: a really good defensive team (Charlotte) or a really good offensive team (Toronto). I guess my question has been answered.
I knew the game was over when Weaver hit his first 3, ran down the court and blocked a shot. That’s the Weaver I’ve been waiting to see.
Also, my second favorite Serge play of the night was when he blocked a shot, scrambled for the loose ball, tipped it away and got control, then passed ahead to KD for the dunk (which he missed due to a foul). The only thing that would have made that sequence better, is if KD could have set Serge up for that Alley Oop.
DR NASTY!!!! I like it.
@Ben
Is it a double victory? I’d rather have had the Jazz win, and create a little separation between us and the Suns. Then again, this way we’re closer to fourth. Ah, as long as we make the playoffs I’ll be happy.
Will we see a dr. Nasty DT shirt???
@carlos
Ibaka’s dunk was actually the ESPN Dunk of the Night like Royce says.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5012421
Here’s a great read:
Toronto Raptors Examiner: Thoughts and Observations…
some nice quotes in the post game:
“- Fun atmosphere in the Thunder locker room sees Maynor singing aloud and a few of the guys goading Durant into believing that Syracuse was down big (their game had yet to begin).
- The Score’s Glen Schiiler asks three separate Thunder players whether the Raptors are soft. If he’s looking for an angle, he may be out of luck, as they all say no.
- Taking nothing for granted: when I ask Westbrook what the team needs to do over their final 15 games in order to be play-off ready, he makes it clear that they have to secure their spot in the postseason first.
- Durant, on what his team needs to work on over the stretch run: ‘We need to play consistent, figure out how to play like this every night.’”
Players can have good games on offense and so can the team is a a whole and when they do, great. I was talking earlier about average team offense right with certain player pairs. As Ibaka gets more experience he’ll get better on offense and team offense with him on the court should improve too. How much, time will tell.
71 points in the first half…
jiminy christmas!
Weaver actually made 5 treys, but on the last one, he had his foot on the sideline — out of bounds — so it didn’t count
Don’t expect him to hit 3 pointers like that in very many games, but at least, as a confidence booster, it was great for Kyle.
It’ll be interesting to see what Skeets and Tas have to say about this game
so much for the theory that the reason we beat up on the Raptors at the Ford Center was because they didn’t have Bosh
a couple of great shots of Jeff driving to the basket
awesome shot of Jeff Green laying it in
Jeff drives in a crowd of Raptors
@dustin
That would be cool, but I now fully expect to see Ibaka in a Dr. Pepper commercial.
“Trust me, I’m a Doctor”
observe Bosh’s outstanding defensive stance
Bosh kinda sorta makes an attempt to defend Jeff
(did my dripping sarcasm come across?)
btw, for those not in OKC…
the weather outside is frightful
but the game last night was so delightful