The Thunder were coming into tonight’s game against the LA Clippers with a record of (1-4) coming off a win against Phoenix. In that game, the Thunder put on a clinic and was led by some names we usually don’t hear too much of like Nerlens Noel and Patrick Patterson. Oklahoma City wanted to ride that wave that those two had going on Sunday into tonight’s game. The start of this game was not what OKC expected as they were missing shots and getting called for a lot of silly fouls. Foul trouble and chippiness were two major parts in this game as both teams wanted to prove dominance in Chesapeake Energy Arena. The first half belonged to the LA Clippers as they shot 55% from the field and were leading the majority of the half. The Thunder weren’t able to put a stop to Danilo Gallinari as he was getting to the basket, foul line, and getting his 3 point shot anytime he wanted on the Steven Adams switch. Gallinari finished the half with 23 points and looked pretty much unstoppable. On the Thunder, Russell Westbrook had 20 points and was getting to the basket anytime he wanted at will. Patrick Beverley was guarding Westbrook and it didn’t stop him one bit as Westbrook had the bank shot working and his quickness on Beverley. Heading into that second half the Thunder needed to find a way to stop Gallinari and make some key defensive stops which they did.

The Oklahoma City Thunder came out on fire and looked like they couldn’t be stopped. Paul George had 11 points in that quarter alone and got his offense going. Paul was able to use his length to shoot over defenders that were guarding him. Once Paul gets his game going and the offense is flowing its tough to beat the Thunder. The whole team combined for 70% shooting in the 3rd quarter and scored 39 points total. The Clippers didn’t know what hit them and were suddenly down by 16 heading into the 4th quarter. When the Thunder trust in their offense and play within together greats things have happened. Another bright spot for the Thunder tonight was the defense of Terrance Ferguson he was aggressive and wasn’t letting anyone get past him or the ball either.

The fourth quarter was the start of what had already been brewing with Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley. Both have a history and dislike each other but it got out of line again tonight. The Thunder were up by 17 with 6:20 left in the game when Beverley dived at Westbrooks’ knee. Both players had to be separated by officials and teammates before it got ugly. This happened the first time back in the 2013 playoffs and it brought flashbacks for the Thunder fans/Westbrook with tonights.

After that play, the Thunder started to turn it up defensively as the team was playing with Westbrooks intensity. Terrance Ferguson had a steal that resulted in one of the most explosive alley-oops you will ever see from Russell Westbrook. It looked like he was going to go through the backboard he was so high. The altercation with Beverley and Westbrook will be what’s talked about tonight but the Thunder got the win in dominant fashion. Both Russell Westbrook and Paul George had a combined 64 points tonight and led the team to the victory with great execution and scoring within the flow of the offense.

Up next the Thunder will be on the road facing the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards in a back to back.