Game#20/82: Celtics (15-4) vs. OKC (10-8)
Posted by Brendan Jackson on Dec 4, 2009
Offensive Efficiency:
Boston: 109.0 points/100 possessions (11th)
OKC: 105.9 points/100 possessions (19th)
Defensive Efficiency:
Boston: 99.1 points allowed/100 possessions (2rd)
OKC: 102.7 points allowed/100 possessions (5th)
Probable Thunder starters: Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook, Thabo Sefolosha, Nick Collison
Zach could not have put it better in this morning’s Notebook: “Tonight’s game has “loss” written all over it.” By all acounts, he’s right. Despite the fact that the C’s have assuaged our most recent causes for concern (Is Ray ever going to hit a three again? Is KG ever going to be normal again? is ‘Sheed ever going to go inside again?), this game has the trappings of a team ready for a let down. First of all, it’s the last game of a four game road trip against a team that, for most of their existence, have been the doormat of NBA (and no, I’m not talking about the Clippers. Sorry Kevin). What’s more is that the first three games seem to foreshadow this fourth game letdown. The Celts win the first game against Miami, a team that was playing very well until recently. The second game was an absolute blowout with the C’s executing on both ends of the floor incredibly well. Last night’s game was a hard fought win against a veteran/ championship caliber team and was billed as a potential Finals match up. That brings us to number four. Three emotional wins and…we’ll have to wait and see.
The biggest problem standing in the way of the Celtics beating down on the doormat of the NBA? The Oklahoma City Thunder are no longer the doormat of the NBA. So, without further adieu, I will explain all of my fears for tonight’s game in true Celtics Hub preview fasion:
WHAT THE THUNDER DO WELL
Forever Young
You know what the Thunder do well? They’re good at being young. The average age of the Thunder’s starting lineup is 23. Even guys that you think have been around for a while, like Nenad Krstic for example, are around 26. Not only are these kids young, but they are talented and they are hungry. Oh right and they have a bona fide superstar in Kevin Durant.
Free Throws
Just like their fellow former expansion team, the Chocolate Bobcats, the Thunder get to the line. Unlike the Chocolate Kittens, the Thunder shoot free throws exceptionally well as a team. This could be because they don’t play Serge Ibaka, but it also could because these kids are just solid free throw shooters.
Match Ups
The Thunder’s starting line-up is not the prototypical NBA lineup. Westbrook, Sefolosha, Green, and Durant are all above average ball handlers and Nick Collison is a very effcient big man. Their line up is psuedo-reminiscent of the Villanova team with Randy Foye, Kyle Lowry, Allan Ray, Mike Nardi and Curtis Sumpter. Except instead of being a team consisting of 6’4″ and under, quick ballhandlers/ shooters with an undersized power forward/ center hybrid manning the middle, the Thunder are all giants by comparison. Westbrook is their shortest starter at 6’3″/6’4″ and Durant is a long 6″9″. Good luck Paul.
WHAT THE THUNDER DO POORLY
Forever Young
Being young has a flip side. While the Thunder’s collective motor has few NBA miles on it, it still hasn’t worked out all the kinks. Durant has yet to establish a closer mentality—or if he has the mentality, it hasn’t manifested itself into a reality (yet). Westbrook is also an exciting player, but has a tendency to take bad shots and force the issue in the paint. He still hasn’t found that happy medium.
Consistency
One look at their schedule and it’s obvious that the Thunder can’t bring it every night. They are 1-1 against Orlando, Sacramento, and the Clippers. They beat San Antonio, but lose twice to Houston. On paper it just doesn’t make sense.
PLAYERS WHO MAKES ME WORRY
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook
I know I just spent a paragraph describing how Westbrook and Durant can’t beat you, but I’m absolutely wrong. When they are on, Westbrook looks like Dwayne Wade and Durant is in a class by himself.
PLAYER WHO DO NOT WORRY ME
James Harden
…and it pains me to write that. I want this kid to be really good. Seemed like he flew under the radar at Arizona State, did everything right, and didn’t get the credit he deserved. Still, his game hasn’t translated yet to the pros. I want him to get it, just not tonight.
WHAT WE WANT TO SEE FROM THE C’S
No Mo’ Hang Ova’
Yes they got a big win last night, but they can’t rest on their laurels, especially against a team like the Thunder. On the plus side, Pierce had a bad game last night. I’m not really bummed about the lack of scoring, because when he doesn’t need to score he doesn’t force anything, but I took issue with some of his decision-making last night. Particularly, the cross-court pass to Eddie House in transistion that was sniped by George Hill and caused Eddie to foul him. I expect Paul to have a clear head, and maybe score some points tonight to give Ray and KG a rest.
* Prediction: It’ll be close the whole way through… until the end. C’s 105, Thunder 95.
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