“It’s easy to get your hopes up and expect a guy to come to your team or whatever – and I’m not talking about myself, I’m just talking about free agency in the past years and in the future – you get your hopes up as a fan, and then they let you down and you end up not liking the player”. I think that was disrespectful.
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Westbrook had 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists in the win, the Thunder’s second in a row after losing three straight.
It was supposed to be a big night, the kind with a built-in storyline in which the actual game nearly becomes an accessory to a larger narrative.
The coach’s Washington Wizards had just lost their third consecutive game, offering up little in the way of defensive resistance each time, and he had a point to make.
John Wall spent ample time as the only viable creator, and even when he found shooters, none could convert.
Russell went on a tear, recording his first triple-double of the season and the twentieth of his career.
The Wizards, who have allowed an average of 119 points the last three games, are off until Saturday when they host the Orlando Magic.
The Thunder shot 51.2 percent from the field and drilled a ridiculous 15-of-23 from deep.
After the bench treaded water, KD, Westbrook, and Ibaka came in to close the second quarter.
Simple summation: Both of these teams are really good, and Utah probably put forth its best start-to-finish effort of the season in defeat. I can’t disagree with him.
Durant, second in scoring entering the night, had 14 points and 10 rebounds in the first half.
Two glaring stats that was part of Washington’s demise: three-point shooting and rebounding.
Give that dude more minutes.
The biggest concern I have from this game wasn’t just that Washington looked lethargic all game. OKC will take on the Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics at home in their next two games. But it’s an insufficient excuse.
Jeremy Lin’s 19 points led the Charlotte Hornets in a 104-95 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Lichtensteiger has been dealing with a neck injury and missed Washington’s past three games.
Nothing makes me feel older and lamer (and maybe more uncomfortably paternalistic) than hearing this and catching myself quietly nodding approval. Especially when said star is coming from a place dubbed “Loud City” that boasts a raucous fan base (Kobe Bryant called it the “best crowd in the league” in 2013) that absolutely adores its team.
The NY Knicks handed the Toronto Raptors 111-109 for their first home loss of the season after Carmelo Anthony scored 25 points and reserve Lance Thomas had 17.
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New Orleans’ Anthony Davis scored 17 points before leaving at halftime with a bruised right hip as the Pelicans beat the Dallas Mavericks 120-105 for their first victory of the season.
