Brock Williams-Smith/NBAE/Getty Images
BOX SCORE
I almost forgot what it was like to be so frustrated watching your favorite team that you want jump naked through a pane of glass. So frustrated that you scream at the television, say you hate a player that you really love and then end up saying, “This is stupid. The NBA is stupid.”
But this game tonight was a nice reminder of those feelings. Ah, the ups and downs of being a hopeless, emotional fan. Because this Thunder team has gotten us all used to winning, closing out tight games and taking care of business, a loss like tonight just doesn’t feel right. It’s doesn’t feel like a “Oh well, it’s a long season” kind of loss. It feels like a kick in the nether region.
But here’s the reality: It’s OK. It’s really not a huge deal. The Thunder lost on the road to a playoff team that plays near .800 basketball at home. It’s the first loss in five games and this team is still 16 games above .500. It’s not fun to lose especially when you’re fighting for important playoff seeding, but this team wasn’t going to finish the year on a 22-game winning streak. Read more…
Recap
Charlotte Bobcats
at 
Okla. City Thunder (41-24, 19-13 road) at Charlotte Bobcats (34-32, 24-8 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: 6:00 CDT
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 107.1 (16th), Bobcats – 103.5 (25th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.3 (6th), Bobcats – 102.8 (4th)
Pace: Thunder – 92.9 (14th), Bobcats – 90.6 (27th)
View from the enemy: Queen City Hoops
Thus starts an appealing, yet dangerous three-game road trip while March Madness engulfs the Ford Center. And tonight’s game in Charlotte, is probably the most difficult of the three. First, the Bobcats are playing extremely well. They’ve won six of seven and have been solid at home this season. They play excellent defense, have an All-Star in Gerald Wallace and a couple trades have really strengthened the team, most recently a deal that brought Theo Ratliff in.
Read more…
Preview
Charlotte Bobcats
BOX SCORE
– ADVANCED BOX SCORE
The Thunder looked flat early. The crowd was lethargic, as were the players. Blame it on the bad weather, a Christmas hangover, whatever. But this game had every appearance of a letdown. But here’s what’s cool: They won.
It was almost similar to how the REALLY good teams do it sometimes. Come out with sub-par energy and when things look to be getting serious, YOU get serious. It’s not ideal but it’s what good teams do to get by during an 82-game season. And I think at this point we can (gasp) start calling Oklahoma City a good team.
But the Thunder never could completely put Charlotte away. After a 13-2 run in the second quarter, the Bobcats came back with a big run of their own. After a 9-0 run to start the third quarter, Charlotte came back to bring it to within four. OKC held a 5-10 point lead for virtually the entire game. And while yes, it was a little frustrating that the Thunder never really put the dagger in, this had the feeling of a lot of Thunder games against elite teams. One side has just enough talent to keep it somewhat interesting, but the other clearly has them overmatched. It felt like OKC playing Boston or Cleveland last year, when the Thunder could keep it around eight or ten, but never have the extra umph to get over the hump. And I think it’s kind of cool to have a team good enough to “toy” with another team. Read more…
Recap
Charlotte Bobcats
vs.
Charlotte Bobcats (11-16, 1-12 road) vs. OKC Thunder (14-14, 7-7 home)
TV: FS Oklahoma (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 753)
Stream: Click Here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CST
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 106.0 (18th), Bobcats – 99.2 (27th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 104.8 (10th), Bobcats – 100.1 (3rd)
Pace: Thunder – 92.2 (18th), Bobcats – 90.9 (26th)
View from the enemy: Queen City Hoops
I think we all know the fear here. The L-word. Letdown. Oklahoma City did what we all truly hoped for with the three-game road stretch – won a game. But while coming back at .500 is huge, it doesn’t mean anything if the team doesn’t capitilize on it these last four games of 2009. And that means starting tonight with a winnable home game against the Bobcats. Read more…
Preview
Charlotte Bobcats
Box Score
Tonight’s game was a contest that was almost exhausting to watch. The Thunder and the Cats squared off and the refs just mostly let them go at it. Few fouls were called, bodies were flying, shots were clanging and the Thunder were lucky to walk away with a victory. Not lucky as in they didn’t deserve it, for they worked hard and gave really incredible effort, but they fell just one shy of their season record for turns with 24. The one game the Thunder got 25, it cost a coach his job. To win a game when you give the other team roughly 25% more scoring opportunities is a rare thing.
I’m sure Kev will be along shortly to give a better defensive analysis, but my impression was that the Thunder really clogged up the lane and defended the post and high post. The three point shot was there all night for the Cats, but once they came inside the arc it seemed like Thunder bodies were everywhere. Kyle Weaver was a MAN tonight: 9 points on 4/5 shooting, 5 boards, one dime, 4 steals and 3 blocks in 22 minutes. The Pac 10 all-defensive team player, who was a draft pick of the Bobcats gave the Bobcats a handful. Read more…
Recap
Charlotte Bobcats
vs. 
Charlotte Bobcats (35-43, 12-25 road) vs. Thunder (21-57, 14-26 home)
TV: FS Oklahoma HD (Cox 37, HD 722)
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM)
Time: 7:00 CST
Offensive Rating: Thunder: 103.0 (29th), Charlotte: 105.1 (27th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder: 109.8 (20th), Charlotte: 106.0 (7th)
Pace:Thunder: 93.5 (8th), Charlotte: 88.3 (27th)
You know a good way to close out a home season? With a win. Call me crazy, but that’s what I’d like to see.
Especially because this is arguably OKC’s best remaining chance to win. After this game the Thunder hits the road for three against Milwaukee, Portland and the Clippers. And OKC’s 7-30 on the road. So if you don’t win tonight, you could be looking at ending the season on an eight-game losing streak with losses in 13 of the last 15. Oh, and also closing out with seven straight losses at home. I’m not really a fan of that.
But the Bobcats have a lot to play for tonight. They are scratching and clawing (get it?) to get into the playoffs. They are three games back of Detroit for the eighth spot, but in order to get there, they’re going to have to win on the road. And Charlotte is not so good away from home. They’re 12-25 on the road and have lost five of seven. A loss tonight could all but kill the Bobcats so you can expect them to come out with fire and intensity. Read more…
Preview
Charlotte Bobcats
