OKC Thunder 3 takeaways: Sweeping OT classic in Portland

Northwest Rivalries:

Aside from Russ who has his own level of angst toward a number of players on opposing teams the Thunder as a whole have their best games and efforts versus their Northwest rivals. Each of the four division opponents seemingly produces the best games Thunder Nation has witnessed in season.

Going back to Westbrook every team in the NW division has a prime candidate that Russ uses to channel his anger toward.

• On the Wolves, it’s Karl-Anthony Towns who Russ recently told ‘get to the beeping playoffs before you speak to me‘. This in response to KAT getting mouthy during this week’s Tuesday loss.
• In fairness, any number of Jazz players (or fans) can draw Westbrook’s ire but often Joe Ingles is his target.
• As for the Nuggets, Canadian Jamal Murray and Russ have a hate-hate relationship which you just know Westbrook can’t wait to get the upper hand in.

But of all the NW teams for whatever reason, it’s the Blazers who seem to bring out the fight in Russ and everyone on the Thunder (save for maybe Enes now). The Brodie took shots at Dame in a game this season, rocks the baby far more often than against any other team and just plain looks like he wants to get in an MMA ring, not on a basketball court.

Jusuf Nurkic however, is the target of most of the aggression from virtually ever Thunder player.

In review:

The first altercation occurred in the second quarter when Jusuf Nurkic took umbrage with what he felt was a purposeful trip which went ignored. Russ responded with a full-on body check which take it as you will but I thought Nurk embellished, as he’s wont to do. In response, the refs assessed a tech to Nurkic and Russ a flagrant. This interaction would play a major factor in the overtime.

The next issue arose late in the game when Paul George hit Nurkic with an unintentional elbow which resulted in both George and Nurkic hitting the hardwood floor while TFerg swooped in to stuff the ball in what seemed like it might be the winning basket.

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Immediately after this incident the same pair got into it under the Blazers basket with pushing, shoving and Jusuf’s head coming to rest on PG’s forehead (I refuse to call it a head butt because it simply wasn’t). Both received techs which of course meant Nurkic was gone as it was his second in the game.

Although the Thunder couldn’t finish the game in regulation, the absence of the big man in OT allowed OKC to exploit Kanter whom they know well and get the sweep.

Take your pick Thunder Nation any of the Northwest teams would offer a great playoff series but for my money, it sure would be great to get six of seven games against these Blazers (of course with the Thunder being the victor).

That wraps up the takeaways as we prep for a quick turn around tonight in LA versus the Clippers. Westbrook and co. will be tired – – but all Russ has to do is glance down court to Patrick Beverley and he’ll have his motivation.

Enjoy the game all, and see you back here after for the grades.