Thunder Get Win In South Beach With Smothering D

The Thunder came down to Florida and got a huge win over the Heat, who had been on an impressive 3 game winning streak. Kevin Durant led them with his usual 29 but also added 7 boards, and 6 assists. The only other two players on the team in double figures were Russell Westbrook with 18 and James Harden with 12. More importantly they held the Heat’s big three to a combined 35 percent field goal percentage. It was great game defensively for both teams but the Thunder just converted more big shots when it mattered. The game started out like a highlight real with a dunk after dunk by both teams as I was looking forward to big time offensive show. This did not happen.

Before the game, which was on ESPN the studio analysts were making their “bold predictions” and for some reason Jon Barry predicted Durant would be held to 15 points. I’m still trying to figure out how that would be possible or what his reasoning was for that “bold” statement. Speaking of Barry’s how come Brent has been able to keep his hair all these years when the rest of the Barry clan started going bald in college? Even his Dad Rick is widely known for his impressive hair plugs. I guess Brent lucked out except for that whole Tony Parker sexting his wife thing. That could get awkward when San Antonio has their anniversary celebration for the titles they won in 2005 and 2007. All I know is I’d like to be there. Also in studio was Jalen Rose, fresh off the controversy from his “Uncle Tom” comments about Duke players. He did not back down from these comments when talking with Skip Bayless on Cold Pizza or whatever that show is called now. It seems Jalen will be taken off of Grant Hill’s Christmas card list. And finally we have my man Stuart Scott. Booyah! It seems he got his lazy eye fixed which has been throwing people off for years. I’m happy for him. Oh and does he wear blue contacts? If anyone knows this please contact me immediately.

One thing that got me excited was how terrible Kendrick Perkins was in this game. I think he will help defensively in the playoffs but this guy is one of the most overrated players in the NBA. People talk about him as if he is an all-star when the guy is barely a starting center in my mind. The best thing about the Jeff Green trade was opening a spot in the starting lineup for Serge Ibaka aka Dr. Nasty. Ibaka had 3 more blocks to go with his 15 from the two prior games.This should have been done before while bringing Green off the bench. Oh well it’s not everyday you can get a center who averages 6 points and 6 rebounds a game.

One of my favorite parts of this game was watching the former Kentucky teammates Nazr Mohammed for the Thunder, and Jamal Magloire battle for supremacy. I heard Magloire stole a girlfriend from Mohammed back in college and it’s been on ever since. Mohammed’s anger over this was still evident when he threw Magloire to the ground and completed a put back for 2. It’s like you could picture Mohammed telling Magloire ” I shall have my vengeance, in this life or the next.” What a couple of gladiators!

Back to the game. Lebron could not hit a jump shot all night as Durant’s “length” seemed to really bother him. Announcer Hubie Brown used this term about 200 times during the game and I started getting the feeling Hubes has been spending too much time in the Thunder locker room. The Heat’s problem is that when Lebron and Wade drive they can’t drop it off to the big men to finish because they manage to bobble every pass or turn it over. This combined with Mike Miller being terrible this year have been huge problems. Russell Westbrook was able to get to the rack pretty much whenever he wanted and his opponent Mario Chalmers was held scoreless. Bosh went back to his “Ru-Paul” ways in the second half missing shot after shot and not going to the rack. This was not all the Heat playing poorly though as Oklahoma City did an incredible job of rotating and helping on defense.

What a nice performance for the Thunder in winning their 5th straight. Miami had just had consecutive blowout victories and seemed to have serious confidence going into this game. I truly believe the Thunder can make the finals this year and this was a big win, maybe gaining more believers in the process. RIP Nate Dogg. DPGC for life.

Notes
Dwayne Wade had one of the best dunks of the year-see video…..Elsewhere around the leauge……Dwight Howard scored 31 points had 22 boards and 3 blocks in an overtime victory over the Bucks….C.J. Miles had 40 for Utah in win over Minnesota….