OKC Thunder Drop Close One To The Milwaukee Bucks (121-119)

OKC Thunder Drop Close One To The Milwaukee Bucks (121-119)

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by | Nov 11, 2019 | Featured, NBA

The Thunder came into this game knowing they would have their hands full with Giannis Antetokounmpo. What the Bucks didn’t know is that this Thunder team is very scrappy and play as a unit. The Thunder had 7 scorers in double figures tonight against the Bucks and were able to keep things close in this game. The man of the season for the Thunder has been Dennis Schröder because every time he comes into the game it’s instant offense/energy. Dennis Schröder has been able to lift this Thunder team up in moments when they need a boost. Schröder finished with 25 points tonight and should be in serious contention for 6th man of the year. When Dennis comes into the game he uses his slithery crossovers and floaters to keep the Thunder rolling. The Thunder were able to use their defense to create a lot of offense against the Bucks, especially in the first half. The Thunder shot 49% on the night and made some big shots when they needed too.

 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 22 points tonight against the Bucks. He’s been growing as a player throughout the young season every night. The Bucks tried to put Wesley Matthews on him to slow him down but it didn’t work at all. Shai has been able to create his own shot and create offense for other players on the team. Billy Donovan has used the “3 Point Guard” combination of (Chris Paul, Dennis Schröder, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) and it’s worked out really well. The three might be undersized as a unit but when they play together on the court great things happen for the Thunder. Those three together have been able to carry the Thunder in many games and it happened tonight for the most part. They combined for 64 points tonight against the Bucks but it wasn’t enough even though they did get some help from others. The Thunder fans have been waiting for Mike Muscala and tonight he showed up in a big way. Mike had a lot of open looks and the playmakers on the Thunder have continued to show they believe in him. Mike Muscala finished with 12 points as he went 4/9 from the 3 point line. Late in the game, Danilo Gallinari hit a clutch shot to tie the game at 114 over Giannis but the Bucks replied with a 3 pointer from Brook Lopez. Gallinari has had the green light in OKC and he finished with 14 points tonight. If the Thunder had some shots fall late that they normally make this would have been a different outcome.

 

 

Giannis Antetokounmpo had his hands all over this game and was able to get every shot he wanted against the Thunder defense. It seemed as though Giannis was gliding to the basket on every euro-step as finished with power. The Thunder were throwing a lot of different looks at Giannis on the defensive side of the ball tonight. It was to the point that at the half Giannis ended up kicking a Thunder sign on the way into the locker room.

 

After the Thunder played great defense against Giannis he came out in the second half ready to attack especially with Khris Middleton going out with an injury. Giannis was making some plays that only he can as he put his MVP hands all over the game from there on out. Giannis finished the game with 35 points on the night and had some monster dunks to make a statement. Giannis was able to get some help from Eric Bledsoe who finished with 25 points and stepped up in the clutch when they lost Middleton. The Thunder were fighting all night and it came down to the wire but Brook Lopez’s 3 pointer was the dagger that won it for the Bucks. The Thunder will be playing the Pacers next on the road as they try to get back in the win column after this close loss tonight against a really good Bucks team.

 

Nov 11, 2019 No Comments
Thunder Hang On To Defeat The Warriors 114-108 As They Improve To (4-5) On The Season

Thunder Hang On To Defeat The Warriors 114-108 As They Improve To (4-5) On The Season

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by | Nov 10, 2019 | Featured, NBA

The Oklahoma City Thunder came out clicking on all levels against the Golden State Warriors. They recently played each other within the last couple of weeks but this time it was different. The Warriors were without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green as both are nursing injuries. The Thunder have finally found their stride as a unit and have been playing some of the best basketball they’ve played in the early season. The Warriors had no answer for the 3 point ball tonight against the Thunder as they shot 14/30 from the 3 point line. The Thunder ball movement has been a thing of beauty all season long and they capitalized on the Warriors mistakes. The Thunder had a well-balanced attack from the start and didn’t look back. This was a game where the Thunder didn’t have much scoring power from Shai Gilegous-Alexander and Chris Paul but the others stepped up. Shai finished with 12 points on the night and Chris Paul finished with 16 points. The leading scorer for tonight was Danilo Gallinari who finished with 21 points.  Whenever Gallinari gets the ball he’s going to look for that 3 point line and he did just that tonight. The fact that Gallinari is such a threat behind the 3 point line it helps the rest of the team in spacing.

 

 

 

The Thunder had 5 players in double figures tonight against the Warriors which shows that the team is gelling at the right time. The Thunder faced some adversity in this one as D’Angelo Russell was starting to get it going in that 3rd quarter against the Thunder. There were points in the quarter where the Thunder had to double team him and try to make other people beat them. Russell finished the game with 30 points as the Thunder were able to figure him out in that quarter. The Thunder were double-teaming and had Dennis Schröder face guarding Russell denying him the ball. Alec Burks was another player that had himself a night for the Warriors finishing with 23 points. It seemed like every time the Russell got a rest then Burks was able to pick up the load. Overall the Thunder was too much for the Warriors to handle down the stretch. Chris Paul had some veteran plays to attract fouls and he knows how to get to the free-throw line. This Thunder team will try to stay in the win column as they face the Milwaukee Bucks and the reigning MVP Giannis.

Nov 10, 2019 No Comments
Kawhi’s 4th Quarter Explosion Gives Doc Rivers 900th Career Win

Kawhi’s 4th Quarter Explosion Gives Doc Rivers 900th Career Win

NBA

by | Nov 8, 2019 | NBA

Following the news of the league’s decision to fine the Los Angeles Clippers $50,00 fine for statements that were inconsistent with Kawhi’s health status. The second game of a back-to-back the Clippers secured a 107-101 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Giving Head Coach Doc Rivers his 900th career win, putting him in elite company as he becomes the 13th coach to reach that feat.

Sporting their Buffalo Braves-styled orange and black Classic Edition uniforms, pay homage to the franchise’s 50th anniversary and its New York state era from 1970-78. Behind Kawhi Leonard’s 27 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks with 18 points coming in the 4th quarter.

A great 3rd quarter performance from Hassan Whiteside, have the Blazer a 76-70 lead heading into the 4th. Anfernee Simons established control early, scoring all 12 of the Blazers’ points in the first six minutes. Opening up lanes and controlled the pace with his outside shooting.

Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez, USA Today Sports

Portland’s lead began its disappearing act once Montrezl Harrell helped the Clippers re-establish their rebounding dominance, while Lou Williams provided timely scoring, and Leonard’s late-game heroics gave the Clippers a 103-99 lead with 32.5 seconds remaining. Portland never recovered, surrendering the victory after a prolonged free-throw exhibition in the final moments. The victory of the Clippers was that much greater with Rivers reach a momentous milestone.

The Clippers’ next game will be Monday at 7:30 pm as Kahwi’s return to Toronto to take on the Raptors, where he’ll receive his Championship ring.

Nov 8, 2019 No Comments
SR – NBA Primetime Preview: Portland Trail Blazers vs Los Angeles Clippers

SR – NBA Primetime Preview: Portland Trail Blazers vs Los Angeles Clippers

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by | Nov 8, 2019 | Featured, NBA

Game two of Thursday night’s doubleheader features Kawhi Leonard’s return from a night off of load management to face the Portland Trail Blazers at home on Thursday night, 10:30 p.m. EST/ 9:30 p.m. CST.

Kawhi’s name has been in the press lately, though, its been anything but positive. Much of the discussions about the two-time Finals MVP has been about his decision to tend to his resting schedule in mending a recovering patellar tendon issue from two years ago – ala “Load Management” – and let’s just say, basketball purists have experienced their discontent with Leonard’s lack of wanting to play big primetime games in favor of optimal conditioning when the playoffs roll through.

Tonight, those talks can be put to bed for at least a couple of hours with his comeback in Clippers doing battle inside the Staples Center against Damian Lillard and the 3-4 Trail Blazers.

The Clippers battled back in a loss to the Giannis Antetokounmpo-led Milwaukee Bucks but need tonight to get their momentum back. Granted, it was as good as a loss as they could have, competing against a championship-favored team while shorthanded. Their defense suffered when Kawhi wasn’t on the floor and were absolutely slashed inside by the league MVP, as he put up 38 points while flirting with a triple-double (38 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists).

The Blazers are in the same predicament of trying to get back on track after embarrassingly losing to the star-less Golden State Warriors while letting Eric Paschall score 34 on them. The Blazers would love nothing more than to upset a Western Conference foe while letting Damian Lillard get back to his absurd scoring ways while being accompanied by an efficient CJ McCollum.

Some other storylines tonight – Moe Harkless plays against the Blazers as a Clipper, since they traded him away at the end of last season. Kawhi comes back to a Clippers team that is 5-1 whenever he steps on the floor, and spirited defender Patrick Beverley gets to dance with an old “friend”, offensive juggernaut Damian Lillard.

This should be fun.

Nov 8, 2019 No Comments
SR – NBA Primetime Preview: Boston Celtics at Charlotte Hornets

SR – NBA Primetime Preview: Boston Celtics at Charlotte Hornets

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by | Nov 8, 2019 | Featured, NBA

This week’s primetime preview sees the hot-streaking 5-1 Boston Celtics visit the 4-3 Charlotte Hornets live from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina on TNT at 8 p.m./7 p.m. CST.

The Celtics, or should I preface, the multifaceted core of point guard extraordinaire Kemba Walker and third-year Celtics Jayson Tatum and Gordon Hayward, started their season on the rockiest of beginnings after their throttling at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers who have, at times, looked like the penultimate defensive juggernaut of the Eastern Conference.

Since then, it’s been nothing but success for these new-look Beantown ballers. A five-win streak in the East is startling enough, especially with a new starting five.

And with the statistical accolades being obtained by the likes of Walker, Tatum, and company (such as Kemba scoring the most points through five games in franchise history, or the Celtics having the only trio of Kemba, Tatum, and Hayward to average over 20+ ppg. for the entire duration of their six-game season in the entire NBA) these Eastern contenders have to like – better yet, love – their situation and how Walker has seemingly plugged into this starting lineup with a sense of chemistry already conjured up.

Tonight, the mood inside the Spectrum Center will transform to a more somber color, since this is the first time that they will not rile up in glee and anticipation to watch their favorite 6’1 guard tear up the opposition on Hornets home ground, but rather appreciate in retrospect, as they watch Walker return to the place he called home for eight years of his life.

Walker expects to receive a warm welcome and positive reception the minute the Celtics take the floor during and after shootaround, but we’ve often witnessed mixed reactions for homecomings that fans initially conceived to be sincere. The boos will reverberate – that’s a given. But just how much, if any, dismay is to be delivered to their former franchise cornerpiece that built up this franchise from the ground up, is the question just waiting for its answer.

Now, onto the competitive aspect of this matchup. The Charlotte Hornets are no easy out as once theorized before this season began. This team’s attacking mindset has drastically changed from the time they gave away Walker to the free-agent market.

The Celtics will have a bunch of defensive adjustments to make as the night goes along, considering that the Hornets are one of the best perimeter-scoring teams in the entire NBA. They opened their 2019 campaign by setting a new franchise precedent, knocking down 24 threes in a game, and that should say just what they are capable of producing early on this year.

Third-year guard Devonte Graham has been a diamond in the rough for Charlotte this year, averaging a team-high 17.3 points per contest while also dishing the rock for another team-high 6.5 assists a game. Just behind him is the former (and seemingly excommunicated) Terry Rozier, who is putting up the best numbers of his career, now with a broadened minutes schedule. PJ Washington has been an impressive rookie for the post-Kemba Hornets, especially from deep.

The rookie, while at Kentucky, didn’t knock down more than six threes his freshman year, but blossomed into a dual sharpshooter and rim slasher his sophomore season, nearly leading his Wildcats in 3PT percentage. In his first season, it’s more of the same as a Hornet. He shoots over 46 percent from three-point range and also leads his team in steals.

This will be a pretty good game with a bunch of storylines on the table for NBA fans to enjoy – Terry Rozier’s revenge on the team that ousted him at last season’s end, the probable reunion of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown and the show that Kemba Walker will put on for his old home team.

The Celtics are seven-point favorites to scoop up a win tonight, but in this league, you just never know who is destined to perform at an optimal level on the national stage.

Nov 8, 2019 No Comments
Giannis Flirts With A Triple-Double As Bucks Down, The Kawhi-less Clippers

Giannis Flirts With A Triple-Double As Bucks Down, The Kawhi-less Clippers

NBA

by | Nov 7, 2019 | NBA

In a mist of a back-to-back The Clippers’ decision to rest Kawhi Leonard due to loan Management for Wednesday nights game against the Milwaukee Bucks was a big deal.

Now it’s not in anything that should concern Clippers fans but encourage them about the team’s long term plan. In Kawhi’s absence, Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell co-leading the team with 34 apiece.

Giannis Antetokounmpo posted 38-point, 16-rebound, and nine-assist in the Bucks 129-124 victory. As on of six Bucks in double digits, George Hill chipped in 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting (6-of-7 from three-point range) off the bench.

Milwaukee led into the third before the Clippers tied it at 83. In which the Bucks responded with a 10-0 run, but the Clips cut the lead down to 126-124 following a Landry Shamet three-pointer with 23.2 seconds left in the game. Eventually, the games were won at the line as Antetokounmpo knocked down the free throw to seal the win.

This early-season matchup the league MVP vs. Finals MVP would have been great to see, but with the Clippers at 5-2 going into the game a loss won’t hurt the team that much. This team is focused on the bigger picture of having Kawhi during a grueling playoff stretch. Various reports came out leading up to the game that Kawhi dealing with a knee injury, and the NBA agreed that he’s “not sufficiently healthy to play in back-to-back games at this time.”

“I’m a fan of basketball as well, not just a coach. I feel for that. I understand that,” said Head Coach Doc Rivers “We obviously have to do what’s right by our players. We have to. It’s our duty.”

The 35 to 40 mins he would’ve played was spread amongst his teams, giving young players much-needed experience early in the season. This could only prove to be beneficial for the team. Imagine if a key piece was to go out due to a bad matchup, a suspension, or injury. Now the young players who played minutes during those nights of Kawhi’s load management nights have not only the confidence but experience to play in those high-pressure moments.

Giving Head Coach Doc Rivers a better look at each individual on the team could help him formulate specific rotation to use for the unpredictable of the NBA playoffs.

The Clippers will play the second game of this back-to-back hosting the Portland Trail Blazers Thursday at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Nov 7, 2019 No Comments