Archive for the ‘Oklahoma City Thunder’ Category

RECAP: MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES-OKC THUNDER/ GAME 1

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Posted 01 May 2011 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, Oklahoma City Thunder


The Memphis Grizzlies upset the #1 seed San Antonio Spurs, and after a 114-101 victory in the opening game of the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday, they look to continue their upsetting ways.

Zach Randolph had 34 points and 10 z-bounds, Marc Gasol added 20 points and 13 boards, completely destroying the Thunder in the paint.

The Grizzlies, the NBA’s most productive team in the paint with a 51.5-point average, racked up 52 against the Thunder.

Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 33 points and 11 rebounds. Russell Westbrook scored 29, but shot 9-23 and had 7 turnovers. The Thunder had 18 turnovers leading to 23 Grizzlies points. Memphis had 8 turnovers.

The Thunder will have to step up their defensive effort if they want to regain home court advantage.

Game 2: Tuesday in Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m., TNT/ Grizzlies lead series 1-0

 

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OKC THUNDER-MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: PREVIEW

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Posted 30 Apr 2011 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, Oklahoma City Thunder

For the first time Oklahoma City and Memphis will host a second round series. Oklahoma knew they would be here, Memphis shocked everyone eliminating the #1 seed San Antonio Spurs

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Memphis Grizzlies possess two of the youngest playoff rosters in history. If coach Scott Brooks were to replace Sefolosha with James Harden (21) — which won’t happen — Thunder starters would have an infantile average age of 22.4.

The Grizzlies got the better of the Thunder in the regular season, winning the series 3-1 as Randolph averaged 26.5 points and 13 boards.

Tony Allen will be have the assignment of slowing Kevin Durant down. Durant has great respect for Allen as a defender, but Durant also averaged 30.5 points against the Grizzlies this season. Allen hurt the Thunder more with his offense, which was unexpected. Allen averaged more points (18.8) against OKC than any other team this season and shot 57.1 percent from the field.

Allen will have reinforcements with Memphis’ addition of another top perimeter defender, Shane Battier, at the trade deadline. And similarly, the Thunder have something new to throw at Randolph: deadline pickup Kendrick Perkins, Allen’s teammate on Boston’s 2008 championship team with the same tough-as-nails demeanor.

Perkins didn’t play in any of the four regular-season meetings, but should allow Serge Ibaka — the NBA’s top shot blocker — to slide over and defend Randolph.

The two may be labeled the NBA’s teams of the future, but there’s no reason they can’t be successful in the present. Ahead in the Western Conference finals would be a matchup against one of two veteran-laden teams — the Dallas Mavericks or the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.

“We’re both bad teams that have risen up and become good teams,” Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said Saturday. ” … Our transformations started the same way, and they actually were ahead of us. We’re here, and they’re here.”

SCHEDULE:

Game 1: Sun., May 1 in Oklahoma City, 1 p.m., ABC
Game 2: Tue., May 3 in Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 3: Sat., May 7 in Memphis, 5 p.m., ESPN
Game 4: Mon., May 9 in Memphis, 9:30 p.m., TNT
Game 5: Wed., May 11 in Oklahoma City, Time TBD, TNT
Game 6: Fri., May 13 in Memphis, Time TBD, ESPN
Game 7: Sun., May 15 in Oklahoma City, Time TBD, Network TBD

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RECAP: OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER-DENVER NUGGETS/GAME 1

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Posted 18 Apr 2011 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Denver Nuggets, NBA, Oklahoma City Thunder

Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

The most exciting offensive game of the weekend goes to the Thunder and Nuggets. It wasn’t as dramatic a game as the Celtics-Knicks or as thrilling as Bulls-Pacers, it was simply non-stop quickness.

Kevin Durant scored 41 points, Westbrook added 31 points, and the OKC Thunder withstood a beat down from Nene to win Game 1, 107-103. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook became the first players since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City to each score 30 points in a playoff game. They were 25 for 45 from the field and provided all but 13 baskets for the Thunder.

Nene dunked on everyone in a Thunder uniform en route to 22 points and eight boards to lead Denver. Nene missed 71/2 minutes after bumping knees with Kendrick Perkins in the opening minutes of the second half.

Danilo Gallinari scored 18 points, Raymond Felton had 12, and Denver had eight players score at least eight points.

“There are a lot of ways to win games down the stretch, and I think big-time shooters, big-time scorers are one,” Karl said. “But there are also a lot of other ways to win close games.” With the departure of Carmelo Anthony the Nuggets role players appeared uneasy with the pressure of taking big shots. Except of course J.R. Smith who had 9 points on 3-8 shooting, and went 0-3 from downtown.

A controversial offensive goaltending call will take the majority of scrutiny. Westbrook’s jumper from the right side caromed off the rim and Perkins was credited for the tip-in with 1:06 remaining to put Oklahoma City up 102-101. Several Nuggets looked for it to be waved off as basket interference, and coach George Karl insisted after the game: “Obviously it was goaltending.”

Teams involved in the Carmelo trade: 0-2 Teams involved in Kendrick Perkins trade: 2-0

Game 2 at Oklahoma City, 8:00 p.m. ET, TNT/ Thunder lead series 1-0

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NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS: 1ST ROUND PREVIEW

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Posted 15 Apr 2011 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, NBA, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs

The Western Conference matchup’s werent decided to the last day of the season, and sadly only the Hornets are going to be an easy out. Let the preview begin……

 

 

 

#1. San Antonio Spurs vs. #8 Memphis Grizzlies

The Spurs  shot at the gate, surprising everyone outside of San Antonio en route to the best record in the West. The Grizzlies suffered a huge setback with the loss of Rudy gay for the Playoffs. The two headed defensive monster of Shane battier and Tony Allen were key reasons the Grizzlies were able to hold on to the bottom spot.

The key matchup of the series is Tim Duncan-Zach Randolph. Tim Duncan is no longer the offensive focal point and averaged a career-low 13.4 points, but is still effective enough to lure double teams. Memphis scored a league-high 51.6 points in the post and its interior size of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol should pose problems for San Antonio. The Spurs are on a mission, but the Grizzlies have been playing great ball down the stretch. This series has the capabilities to go the distance.

Spurs in 6

 

 

 

 

 

#2 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #7 New Orleans Hornets

The Lakers earned the privilege to play the David West-less Hornets in the first round. If the Lakers don’t sweep the Hornets, prepare for panic out of Los Angeles. The Lakers swept the Hornets, 4-0, in the regular season.

Lakers in 4

 

 

 

#3 Dallas Mavericks vs. #6 Portland Trail Blazers

*The Best First Round Matchup* The loss of Caron Butler dealt a heavy blow to the Mavs. The toughest player taken from your team makes deep Playoff runs next to impossible. Despite nearly a decade’s worth of regular-season success, Dallas has advanced only once to the finals.

The Mavericks draw a tough first-round matchup in Portland, which benefited after a midseason trade by obtaining Gerald Wallace. Brandon Roy is somewhat back from injury, but the team now revolves around LaMarcus Aldridge (21.8 points, 8.8 rebounds), who is a native of Dallas. The teams split their regular-season games with each winning twice at home.

Portland in 6


 

 

 

 

#4 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. #5 Denver Nuggets

The most intriguing first-round matchups between the benefactors of deadline deals. The Thunder may pose the largest obstacle to the Lakers of escaping the Western Conference a fourth straight year. Denver hasn’t lost a step after dealing Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony to New York. Denver is similar to a college team complete with two ex-North Carolina Tar Heels in Raymond Felton and Ty Lawson.

Kevin Durant remains the best basketball player not named Kobe, or LeBron. The addition of Kendrick Perkins adds a touch of toughness the Thunder have yet to achieve. Oklahoma won the season series, 3-1, including taking two games after the trading deadline.

Thunder in 6

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KD: BOSH IS “FAKE TOUGH”

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Posted 30 Jan 2011 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Miami Heat, NBA, Oklahoma City Thunder

Asked about a first quarter verbal spat when he and Bosh both picked up technicals, the mild-mannered Durant didn’t mince words. He called the former Toronto All-Star forward a “fake tough guy” who talks because he’s on a good team now.

The incident happened with 6:46 left in the first quarter after Bosh committed a foul. Durant said he didn’t immediately get into it with Bosh.

“I was talking to my teammate and [Bosh]  decided he wanted to put his two cents into it,” Durant explained after the 108-103 setback. “I am a quiet guy, laid-back guy, but I’m not going to let nobody talk trash to me. He’s on a good team now so he thinks he can talk a little bit. There are a lot of fake tough guys in this league and he’s one of them.”

Whoa, but Durant wasn’t finished.

“I’m no punk,” he continued. “I wasn’t even talking to him first off. He decided to butt in and I’m not going to just let that slide. Especially in our house. Like I said, he’s not one of those guys I look at and say he has a rep for talking back to guys or getting into it. He’s a nice guy. I’m not going to let that type of person say something to me like that.”

If Kevin Durant says it, it’s TRUTH!

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NBA 2011 RESOLUTIONS

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Posted 31 Dec 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden St. Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trailblazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards

With the start of a new year, teams make their own resolutions.  Here is a team by team look at those resolutions.

ATLANTA HAWKS

We resolve to get to the bottom of why we gave Joe Johnson so much damn money. He does lead us in points, but will we make it deep in the playoffs….of course not.

BOSTON CELTICS

We the Boston Celtics resolve to play at least one game with both O’Neal’s on the court at the same time. I, the Boston Celtics  fan resolve to relax and enjoy each game because if anyone gets injured the world will not end.

CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

I, Michael Jordan resolve to stop wearing all my rings on one necklace to every Bobcats meeting.

CHICAGO BULLS

We resolve to kept nurturing Derrick Rose, and to keep Carlos Boozer and his weird beard away from him.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

We resolve to simply exist before the NBA goes through with contraction and makes us a NBDL team. I, the Cavs fan will save up and buy the Fathead of Daniel Gibson for no reason whatsoever.

DALLAS MAVERICKS

I, Rick Carlisle resolve to stop making faces like Jim Carrey, and to let jason Terry do whatever he wants in the 4th quarter.

DETROIT PISTONS

I, Tayshaun Prince resolve to ask Joe Dumars nicely if I can be traded, then pray its not to Toronto.

DENVER NUGGETS

We resolve to trade Carmelo to the highest bidder, then struggle until we draft anthoer Carmelo and repeat the same process.

GOLDEN ST. WARRIORS

We resolve to never sign a legitimate big man so we can never truly play defense.

HOUSTON ROCKETS

I, the Houston Rockets fan resolve to lower our expectations until Michael Jordan goes and plays baseball for two years.

INDIANA PACERS

We resolve to sleep through the rest of this year, and promptly wake up during the lottery selection this summer.

L.A. CLIPPERS

I, Donald Sterling resolve to continue being concerned about only money, and as long as Blake Griffin makes me money he stays….for cheap of course.

L.A. LAKERS

We resolve to work all year so we actually play a competitive game on Christmas. We also resolve to never let Kobe and Nike convince us that Lime green sneakers are cool.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

We resolve to save our money, to pay for the shipping of all the equipment to our new home in Seattle.

MIAMI HEAT

I, Miami Heat fan resolve to show up to games on time, especially once the playoffs start. At least we will make it seem that basketball games are more fun then the beach, or clubs full of young hispanic women.

MILWAUKEE BUCKS

We resolve to continue doing whatever it was we did to beat the Lakers. *Brandon Jennings didn’t play

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

I, Kevin Love resolve to rebound every ball, on every shot, from every basketball game in the world.

NEW JERSEY NETS

We resolve to never put an ad across from Madison Square Garden again. Unless of course, if we get Carmelo Anthony then we get to play in the Garden.

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS

We the NBA speak for the Hornets, and the Hornets have nothing to say.

NEW YORK KNICKS

I, Spike Lee resolve to continue wearing clothes too big for me to games, and my Landry Fields jersey, even if he gets traded.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER

We resolve to take out as many loans as possible to keep Russell Westbrook away from Los Angeles.

ORLANDO MAGIC

I, Dwight Howard will work on my three point shooting so I can fit in better with the team.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

We resolve to hire Michael Vick as soon as the NFL season is over. He will suit up and be in the starting lineup, just for the player introductions, but he wont play any minutes.

PHOENIX SUNS

I, Marcin Gortat, will continue to plead with my teammates to play defense, even if they speak another language.

PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS

I, Trail Blazers fan will take a class in physical therapy so I can be more hands on with the players.

SACRAMENTO KINGS

We, the Maloof Brothers resolve to finish construction on our secret basketball stadium in Las Vegas. We also must sit Tyreke Evans down and ask that he not hit 50 footers to win games and instead keep piling on the loses.

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

We resolve to casually ignore the age of our Big 3, but encourage fans to purchase DeJuan Blair Bears from the gift shop

TORONTO RAPTORS

We resolve to call the NBA everyday, and send flowers so that they remember there is a team in Toronto.

UTAH JAZZ

We resolve to continue research into age-defying potions that can make it possible for Jerry Sloan to coach the Jazz forever.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS

We resolve to finally change our name back to the Bullets, and once again lose out on front page reports to real bullets.

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James Harden: “Put it right on his head!”

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Posted 13 Dec 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA, Oklahoma City Thunder

Whenever a player goes coast-to-coast and finishes with a dunk and the foul, you just pray that you weren’t the guy who challenged the dunk. Unfortunately for J.J.Hickson he did challenge the dunk in a very unsuccessful manner. As if things couldn’t get worst for the Cavaliers, now Hickson is deceased.

props to @outsidethenba

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Westbrook and Paul Duel!

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Posted 10 Dec 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA, New Orleans Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Chris Paul was 8-0 against the Oklahoma City Thunder at home for his career.

Paul had 5 steals in the first half, finishing with 18 points, 7 dimes, no boards and those 5 steals.

Russell Westbrook had 29 points and 10 assists, and the Thunder beat the New Orleans Hornets 97-92 on Friday night.

Westbrook scored 16 points in the second half, including an 18-foot jumper as he was fouled by Paul to give the Thunder a 93-87 lead with 1:41 to go.

“I obviously lost my matchup tonight and that probably had something to do with why we lost,” Paul said.

The question is does Westbrook pass CP3 as top point guard in the league. Personally I still seek refuge in the Deron Williams bandwagon but what Westbrook was able to accomplish tonight should help his case.

Westbrook and Kevin Durant, who scored 25 points, easily lived up to their billing as the highest-scoring duo in the NBA. Their combined 54 points eclipsed their league-leading average of 51.3 points coming in.

With a 3-pointer in the first quarter, Paul hit 7,000 career points in what is now his sixth season.

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Everyone has played NBA POWER RANKINGS

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Posted 01 Nov 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, NBA, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Portland Trailblazers

All the NBA teams have played at least one game so without further adieu, we present our first power rankings of the season:

TOP TEN

1. Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe says knee is 100%, the Lakers are first in points per game and Matt Barnes and Ron Artest have yet to kill anyone. Something tells me the Lakers are gonna hold the #1 spot for a long time

2. New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul is back and surprising the league with an early undefeated record. Wins against the Spurs and Nuggets were big.

3. Portland Trail Blazers: The Blazers defense is the reason for their record. If they can get Oden back by December to just stand in the paint they could shake up the West.

4. Atlanta Hawks: Just like the Hornets the Hawks new head coach Larry Drew is enjoying a perfect record, but for how long.

5. Boston Celtics: Rondo has 50 dimes in three games, if not for old legs against the Cavs, the Celtics would be much higher in the rankings.

6. Miami Heat: Allowing a league low 80.8 points a game, the Heat have turned it on following an opening night lost to the Celtics.

7. Orlando Magic: Yet another season of living and dying by the three. At least Stan Van is sporting a collar.

8. Oklahoma City Thunder: Tentative play against Utah lead to their only lost. Kevin Durant is second in scoring behind Derrick Rose…for now.

9. Chicago Bulls: Joakim Noah leads the league in rebounds, Derrick Rose leads in scoring…they have only played two games. Has anyone seen Luol Deng?

10. New Jersey Nets: Derrick Favors can rebound better then you. The Nets would have been undefeated had they avoided playing the Heat who destroyed them in transisition. If Avery Johnson keeps this team above .500 he has to win Coach of the Year.

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NBA: 13 Game Recap(10/27)

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Posted 27 Oct 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden St. Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trailblazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz

Wilson Chandler scored 22 points( 8 in the 4th) Amare Stoudemire had 19 points( 7 in the 4th) and 10 rebounds and the New York Knicks beat the Toronto Raptors 98-93 on Wednesday night.  The game was closer then Knicks fans would like. Andrea Bargnani scored 18 points in the first half but had just four in the second for Toronto, which had won eight of its previous nine home openers, and swept the Knicks in all four games last season.

(AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

The Boston Celtics were in Cleveland for opening night of the King-less Cavaliers.  Playing its first game in seven years without THE DECISION MAKER, the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the OLD Celtics 95-87. J.J. Hickson scored 21 points, Daniel Gibson added 16 — all in the second half –.  Rajon Rondo lead the Celtics in scoring with 18.  If Rondo leads in scoring, it means one thing, the Celtics are tired.  Since Cleveland beat the Celtics and they beat the Heat is Cleveland the best tema in the East?  I’m joking.

New Jersey Nets gave Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov a win in his first game as their owner with a 101-98 victory over the Detroit Pistons. The Nets outscored the Pistons 13-3 in the final 1:40 to give Avery Johnson a win in his first game as coach — coming much quicker than last season, when they set an NBA record by losing their first 18 games and not getting that first W till December 4th.  Brook Lopez led the Nets with 25 points and nine boards, and Devin Harrisvadded 22 points and nine dimes. Tayshaun Prince, Rodney Stuckey and Charlie Villanueva each had 14 points.

Atlanta Hawks 119 – Memphis Grizzlies 104: The last time the Grizzlies won on opening night was when they were in Vancouver, defeating the Seattle SuperSonics at home, 94-88 on Oct. 31, 2000. … Memphis went 8-0 in the preseason … Atlanta has won eight of its last nine regular-season games against Memphis and is 20-10 all-time against the Grizzlies.

Durant scored 30 points, Russell Westbrook had 28 points and 10 boards and Oklahoma City beat their young Eastern Conference equivalent Chicago Bulls, 106-95 in the season opener for both teams. Derrick Rose scored 28 points to lead the Bulls but sat for a long stretch due to foul trouble.  A late 11-0 run for the Thunder sealed the deal.  Joakim Noah finished with 18 points and 19 boards.

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