Thunder Wins 109-85!
Players of the Night
Oklahoma City- Russell Westbrook (27 Pts, 3 Reb, 5 Ast, 1 Stl)
Philadelphia- Nick Young (21 Pts, 4 Reb, 1 Ast, 1 Stl)
Takin' care of business. Every day.
Oklahoma City got back to their winning ways tonight with their second win against the 76ers this season, putting the series at a 2-0 lead for the Thunder. This was a welcome sight and separation from the last game between these two teams which led to an overtime win for the Thunder. Tonight, OKC led for the majority of the game and win became more and more secure as time ran on. Both teams went to their benches with about three minutes left in the 4th quarter and the game was essentially over.
Philadelphia played fairly well for most of the game, with the 76ers staying fairly close up until the 4th quarter. Nick Young was efficient off the bench for Philly, registering 21 points and keeping them in the game with many of his makes from behind the arch. The starters for the 76ers did not fare very well, however, with only 2 players making it into double digits. Turnovers were killers for Philly, with 20 turnovers and the Thunder scoring 24 points off those turnovers. Missing the production from the starters was the final nail in the coffin and led to the the outcome of the game tonight.
Oklahoma City played very well tonight, shooting efficiently, crashing the boards, and playing stifling defense. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Martin were both perfect from beyond the arch, going a collective 8 for 8 for three. Wolverine was lava-hot tonight, going perfect from three, making many of his mid-range jumpers, and finishing at the rim with finesse. Much of the hitch in his shooting motion is long gone and the Westbrook that was shooting at a high percentage in the beginning of the season is back. KD was himself like always, making the All-star plays and making his man look like a fool. Both would score 27 and 26 respectively.
Analysis: The Thunder played really well tonight, with the sole blemish of turnovers with 18. However, along with efficient offense and solid defense, Oklahoma City made up for what they loss with the turnovers. Kevin Martin got back into his hot-hand shooting rhythm that has been non-existent lately, scoring 16 points off the bench. Reggie Jackson again played quality minutes, showing more and more by day that he is deserving of the back-up point guard position. Thabeet roared back to prominence and possible future rotation minutes by registering 7 rebounds, tied for second for the team tonight. OKC's shooting from behind the arc was red-hot and shooting from the field was nearly as efficient. With the Thunder blowing out the 76ers team that held with them till overtime in the last meeting, Oklahoma City seems to be back into a rhythm that can lead to a winning streak, and the next game against Toronto will only help in building the confidence of a seemingly resurgent Thunder team.
Player of the Game: Russell Westbrook. Westbrook has finally found the rhythm in his shot that had disappeared as of late. Wolverine is making his mid-range jumpers and finishing at the rim in the way that makes him such a deadly offensive threat. Westbrook was outside himself from behind the arch, going a perfect 4 of 4, making 12 of his 27 points from the arch.
Next Game: Sunday, January 6th @ 12 PM CST; Air Canada Centre- Toronto, Ontario
(Credit: ESPN Stats and Information)
(Credit: Richard A. Rowe; NBA.com)
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