Bradley Beal’s 25 Points Lead The Wizards To Victory Over Oklahoma City (116-98)

Bradley Beal’s 25 Points Lead The Wizards To Victory Over Oklahoma City (116-98)

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The Oklahoma City Thunder were back home after their road trip and ran into a Wizards team determined to get a win for their coach. Scott Brooks has yet to win a game in Oklahoma City since becoming the Washington Wizards Head Coach. Tonight was the night that Brooks would get his first victory in the place he once called “Home”. The Wizards came out shooting lights out in this game and jumped on the Thunder from the very start. One very bright spot for the Washington Wizards was the play of Bradley Beal. The way he’s been playing as of late has been impressive. Bradley Beal’s averaging 24 points on the season and was able to put that on display tonight. Beal was able to score off screens and picks all night long with ease. One thing that was noticeable tonight was the fact that Beal can make some tough shots. Beal hit a couple of shots over Steven Adams and Jerami Grant tonight that looked impossible. Bradley Beal finished with 25 points on the night but got a lot of help from his teammates throughout the game. The Wizards had 5 players in double figures tonight and Otto Porter Jr. was the player that stepped up to help out Bradley Beal on the night. Otto was able to make the Thunder pay from the 3 point line and he was attacking the paint when defenders thought he would stay at the 3 point line. Another player that was making the best of his opportunities was Jeff Green. It seemed like when the Wizards needed a momentum shift Jeff Green was there for the answer as he poured in 16 points. Jeff Green was able to space the floor out for the Wizards and create problems for the Thunder on that perimeter. The Thunder got outrebounded which rarely happens and they dropped the ball tonight against the Wizards. The rebound margin was 55-41 as that margin helped the Wizards on second-chance points and controlling the clock late.

The Thunder dropped this one to the Wizards and they were getting beat on hustle plays and rebounding all night. OKC shot 43% from the field for the game it was the turnovers and getting outrebounded that got them tonight against the Wizards. Paul George didn’t have his best game but he seemed to be banged up in that second quarter which altered his game a little. PG-13 finished with 20 points on the night but had some great looks they just didn’t fall. This is the first time in over a month that Paul George was off like tonight and it was rare to see. George will try to bounce back on Tuesday against the Timberwolves and get his shooting rhythm back on track. One thing that is for sure about Paul George is the fact he will give you his all and will shoot until they fall.

Russell Westbrook had his game going tonight and was able to grab another triple-double tonight finishing with 22 points, 13 assists, and 15 rebounds. Westbrook can beat opposing point guard on a nightly basis but when the game is out of reach like tonight it’s tough. The former MVP was getting his teammates involved and was able to make things happen while he was in the game. The Thunder second unit came in and lost some momentum late in the game which the Wizards jumped on when Westbrook/George took a rest. The Thunder had something going when they were getting the ball to Steven Adams in the post but managed to get away from that after the first half. If the Thunder kept pounding the paint things could of went differently.

Overall the Thunder will bounce back and have the chance to on Tuesday against the Timberwolves who just fired their head coach tonight.

Jan 7, 2019 No Comments
Russell Westbrook’s 10th Triple-Double Helps OKC Defeat The Mavericks (122-102)

Russell Westbrook’s 10th Triple-Double Helps OKC Defeat The Mavericks (122-102)

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The Oklahoma City Thunder lost last night to the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas and were looking for revenge. Russell Westbrook came out and set the tone for tonight immediately from the tip. Westbrook was coming into tonight’s game after having a decent shooting performance the night before and made the Mavs pay. Westbrook was able to bully anyone that was guarding him in the post and made the most of every possession. When Westbrook gets in the zone that he was in tonight he’s completely unguardable. The Mavericks were throwing everyone at Westbrook tonight and it didn’t matter. Westbrook spoke highly of himself being one of the best point guards if not the best and was punishing anyone guarding him.

The Mavs had Smith Jr, Barea, and Harris guarding him and he was able to have his way using the glass with the bank shot or just going to the hole with ease. Westbrook finished the game with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists on the night. The Thunder defense played a big part in the margin of victory as the Thunder had 13 steals and were able to turn those steals into points. When Paul George and Russell Westbrook get into those passing lanes other teams are forced to adjust their game and that’s what happened tonight. Paul George used those steals and his defense to get his game going as well as he finished with 22 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals on the night. Paul George was able to get his shot when he wanted and was taking it personal with his matchup against Luka tonight as he wanted to put a stop to his offensive explosions of late. Luka was able to finish with 17 points but it was Harrison Barnes who caught fire tonight for the Mavericks. Barnes had 25 points on the night and was the only bright spot as he came out firing in the 3rd quarter. The Mavericks were able to get it down to at least 11 points but the Thunder had too much momentum and firepower tonight.

The Thunder had 6 players in double figures tonight and were able to get anything they wanted in the paint. The Mavericks were in foul trouble for their interior players and OKC took advantage of that right away. The Thunder will be hitting the road in LA and Portland before they come back home on the 6th to play the Wizards.

 

 

Photo Credit:  Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

 

Jan 1, 2019 No Comments