The Oklahoma City Thunder came into this game against the Sacramento Kings looking to win the back to back. The only issue is the Thunder were in double overtime with an 8:30 tipoff and played pretty much 17 hours previously. The Kings had a day of rest and were prepared for the Thunder. It was obvious that the Sacramento Kings wanted to wear the Thunder out tonight as they were running the floor like a track meet. The Kings were up for a good portion of the game and tried to take advantage of the tired legs of the Thunder and it was proving to work. Buddy Hield and De’Aaron Fox combined for 53 points on the night. Both Fox and Hield made some tough shots on the night and were able to use their quickness to create more offense against the Thunder. Buddy Hield was making some tough shots with Ferguson and George draped all over him. The improvement in Buddy’s game has been impressive because he was known for being a knockdown shooter but has shown that he can get to the basket. It truly looks like Buddy has found a home in Sacramento and they have a young core and a great coach that believes in his ability to score. Buddy finished with 38 points on the night and was able to attack and hit his jumper in some clutch moments down the stretch. The Kings momentum was going with Fox and he was able to show that he’s a true floor general and leader at a young age. Some of the passes that Fox made to split the double teams and his awareness needs to be respected.
It was noticeable that OKC was gassed and the Kings tried to make them pay for it in the transition game. The bright spot for the Thunder was their leader Russell Westbrook because he has the best motor in the NBA. Westbrook may have finished with 41 points and 10 rebounds on the night but you would have never noticed he played pretty much identical the night before. Russell Westbrook’s a special talent and breed that the NBA won’t see ever again when he’s ready to hang up his sneakers. Westbrook was able to keep the Thunder in the mix tonight as he was being aggressive to the basket and also had the 3 point shot working. Westbrook was making some clutch shots and was driving to the basket all night on Fox with ease. The Thunder were down by 1 point late and Westbrook received an offensive foul that gave the Kings back the ball late.
Paul George was trying to get his game going on the night but wasn’t able to hit much. George finished with 14 points on the night and went 4/19 from the field. George to his credit played 50 minutes the night before and he even admitted he was a little tired. The way that Paul George has been able to carry the Thunder all season he was due for a bad game in the mix. The most impressive thing is that with the Thunder down by 3 points with time running out they still showed the confidence in Paul even though he missed. The Thunder have the best duo in the NBA and they have been able to prove that on an everyday basis. When the Thunder stars play as they have lately anything is possible. The Thunder bench chipped in with 32 points on the night as well and it was a great sight for Dennis Schröder tonight hitting some tough shots to finish with 14 points on the night.
The Thunder play the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday in Denver and that should be a great one as the 2nd/3rd place teams will battle it out.
Photo Credit – Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
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