Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE/Getty Images
BOX SCORE
With five minutes left, I thought we were about to watch the same movie we just saw. And the ending wasn’t a very fun one. Oklahoma City closed the third quarter on a big run, built a double-digit lead and had a ton of momentum. But it all fell flat in the fourth. The offensive execution went flying out the door, passes got sloppy and worst of all, they missed open looks.
And honestly, nothing changed for the entire fourth quarter. The Thunder’s offensive execution stayed poor and they missed more shots. Spoiler alert: the Thunder ended up winning. But it wasn’t by snapping out of the funk. They grinded out possessions, went three minutes at a time without scoring and shot just 39 percent for the game, but did what needed to be done to just win. It was the type of game that you kind of wonder how your team finished on top, but despite only scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter, the Thunder had just enough to edge Phoenix, 96-91. Read more…
Recap
Phoenix Suns
vs. 
Phoenix Suns (51-27, 21-18 road) vs. Okla. City Thunder (48-30, 25-14 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 CDT
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 108.2 (13th), Suns – 115.5 (1st)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 104.3 (8th), Suns – 110.7 (24th)
Pace: Thunder – 93.0 (14th), Suns – 95.3 (4th)
View from the enemy: Valley of the Suns
Who’s tired? I’m tired. These past two games have worn me out and the worst part is, it’s not getting any easier. I don’t think I’m cut out for the playoffs. My inexperience is and youth is really showing. And now we’ve got another huge game coming off a tough loss. I just hope my heart doesn’t explode tonight. Read more…
Preview
Phoenix Suns
There was no foul called on this play. Seriously. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
BOX SCORE
I had a feeling from the midway point of the first quarter that this game was going to end badly. At about the seven minute mark of the third quarter all the way up until about the three minute mark of the fourth, the Thunder’s impressive run with three rookies and Durant and Westbrook helped put that fear to ease…
And then Thabo went for the steal.
To be fair, he had been sitting for quite awhile (more on that later) so it’s certainly going to be discussed about if he should have been inserted when he was ice cold for the game’s biggest play (after all, he had been sitting for a reason) but no matter how much I shook my head in disbelief that the Thunder’s most sound defender actually gambled so recklessly, this loss can not be totally placed on him. Read more…
Recap
Phoenix Suns
vs. 
Phoenix Suns (34-23, 14-16 road) vs. Okla. City Thunder (33-21, 16-10 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 – 106.2 (18th), Suns – 113.7 (1st)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 102.7 (3rd), Suns – 110.8 (29th)
Pace: Thunder – 92.6 (16th), Suns – 95.7 (4th)
View from the enemy: Valley of the Suns
First, the big news about the game: Taylor Griffin is back! I mean, Steve Nash is out. Nash didn’t even travel with the team so that should help. But if I’ve learned anything about the NBA, it’s that sometimes, teams win without their best players. I’ve seen it happen a lot. So this is absolutely no given. However, I’d rather Steve Nash not play than play, right? My how far we’ve come in a short in OKC. Gone are the days where we went to the Ford Center to see other stars. Now we’re happy we when we don’t get to see them play. I like this better. Read more…
Preview
Phoenix Suns
BOX SCORE
Merry Christmas Thunder fans. This one’s for you.
Remember all those games where Kevin Durant would come up just a little short in the fourth quarter when we wanted him to take over? Against the Lakers at the Ford Center. Against the Cavs. Against LA last night again. We knew KD had it in him, we knew he’d start to get it, but when was it going to happen? And tonight, Dec. 23rd, 2009, I think you saw what’s in our future. Kevin Durant, is getting it. That, for the NBA, is freaking scary.
The funny thing is, KD did something he hadn’t done yet this year prior to taking over. In a big spot with OKC down two in the fourth, he missed TWICE from the free throw line. A huge double-miss. OKC retained possession after the Suns tipped it out on the rebound, but Durant missed an open jumper on the inbounds pass. I think we all had another “Here we go again” moment, but after the momentary letdown, Durant took over. Took. Over. This wasn’t a meaningless game against a bad team. This was on the road at a place the Suns had only lost once, on the second of a back-to-back. Durant took his team to a higher place and carried them to victory. It’s what Kobe does. It’s what LeBron does. It’s what Wade does. And maybe this is the beginning of that for Durant. At least we can hope so. Read more…
Recap
Phoenix Suns
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. Read more…
Preview
Phoenix Suns
BOX SCORE
(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Ah, preseason overtime basketball. Nothing better. Except… everything. To recap quickly, the Thunder blew a 17-point fourth quarter lead, the game went to overtime and the backups backups came in and locked in a 110-105 Thunder victory.
The final score was nice and getting a win was fun but there are three very positive things to take from this one: Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka and 3-point shooting.
First, Westbrook. How does a triple-double sound? It sounds pretty awesome, but Westbrook fell just short notching 10 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in three quarters. And only three turns including one coming off a rebound that bounced off his foot. He just looks like a whole new player. I loved the Russ from last year but gone are the hair-pulling moments. He’s in control and he plays smart. Two plays stood out: 1) With 1:15 left in the first, he took his time, split a double-team, went to the rack and scored two and was fouled. It was a patient, well calculated move. 2) With 3:30 left in the third, he got inside the lane, drew two defenders and slipped a beauty to Ibaka for a flush. A very slick play. Read more…
Recap
Phoenix Suns
vs. 
Phoenix Suns (1-1) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (0-2)
TV: Thunder TV – KSBI 52 (Cox 15, HD 715)
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, Web Stream)
Time: 7:00 CST
View from the enemy: Valley of the Suns
The best thing about this game is that it’s on TV. And that it’s at home. One way or the other, we finally have a chance to get a GOOD look at the new players. No more blurry webcam feeds or radio calls. We get it to see it live and for real. That alone gets me excited for a meaningless preseason game. (Though as of right now, the game isn’t showing up in my guide…) Read more…
Preview
Phoenix Suns
