OKC Thunder: Five Things to Watch Tonight in Los Angeles

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5. Which Russell Westbrook is going to show up tonight?

I have not been happy with Russ’ play of recent; well basically just Sunday’s game. In the two games prior (both Thunder wins) Westbrook was efficient from the field because he was attacking the paint and taking smart shots.

But he reverted back to Dangerous Russell on Sunday. If the game is close in the fourth quarter, Westbrook stops passing. He took six of the Thunder’s last eight shots in the fourth quarter, than followed that up with four straight shots in OT.

Nov 5, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) watches his team play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Yes Russ is a dangerous scorer, but teams pack the paint to stop his driving ability, especially in the fourth quarter. It’s no fluke that the Thunder scored on the two shots Russ didn’t take, because those guys (Victor Oladipo and Enes Kanter) were wide open.

When Westbrook focuses on getting his teammates involved for 48 minutes the Thunder are in a much better place offensively AND defensively. When guys are getting passed the rock they are more in tune with the game (see the defensive decline of Serge Ibaka).

At the end of this game, check the box score to see how many shots Russ took. If he took 25 or more, I’d be willing to bet the Thunder lost.

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