By: Michael Doutey
The Oklahoma City Thunder grinded out a 95-94 win over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. It was a typical game for the Thunder. OKC took a double digit lead in the first quarter. The Thunder lead by as many as 15 in the first half and took an eight point lead into halftime. It was a typical Thunder third quarter as OKC only mustered 18 points in the frame while they allowed 32 to the Nuggets. OKC trailed by 10 at one point in the fourth quarter before Russell Westbrook took over. The Thunder rode the wave of momentum Westbrook generated to win this game. The Thunder now move to 15-15 on the season and are now sit eighth in the Western Conference standings. Here are tonight’s five observations from tonight’s Thunder victory.
1. Vintage Russ
Russell Westbrook was MVP level tonight. This game was a throwback to last season. Last year, time after time OKC trailed in the fourth quarter when Russ checked back in. And time after time Russ delivered just as he did again tonight. The Thunder needed Russ to be their hero to win tonight’s game. Paul George was out of rhythm all night. Melo only took six shots. Steven Adams is still out with a concussion. The Thunder needed Russ to attack instead of try to get everyone involved. He did it perfectly, scoring 16 of his 38 points in the fourth. Russ also shot very well tonight overall. He shot 16-28 from the floor and 1-3 from three. This might be the biggest development because Russ has really struggled to shoot efficiently this season. He has really struggled to finished at the rim. His post ups have been bad. His midrange jumper has been awkward and ineffective. His bank shots haven’t even been close. But tonight he had it all working. It was something that I noticed on Friday night in the overtimes against the 76ers. He has looked more comfortable taking these shots. Maybe he is figuring his shot out. That would be a welcome sign as the Thunder as a whole are still struggling to score easily.
2. Another off shooting night for PG
If feels like every week PG throws out a clunker shooting performance. That happened again for PG tonight. PG scored just eight points on 3-13 shooting and 1-6 from three. He wasn’t in rhythm at all tonight on the offensive end. He was making odd decisions. He was passing up good looks and settling for contested shots. He was really loose with the ball and had some sloppy turnovers. His defense was still big for the team. He was very active and he was his typical disruptive self. He talked about how much of a luxury it is to play alongside a guy like Russell Westbrook on an off shooting night where PG doesn’t have to worry about scoring on a night like tonight. While tonight it worked, the Thunder must have PG scoring at a better rate than he did tonight.
3. 6 Shots
Carmelo Anthony scored four points on just six shots. While I’ve been asking for a reduced scoring role for Melo for a while, I am still surprised he’s taken it. Melo isn’t the Melo I thought the Thunder were getting. I know Melo is 33. He has a lot of miles on his NBA legs. He is an old 33. He just doesn’t have the explosion he needs to be the player he has been. And this is the role I’ve wanted for Melo, even though six shots is probably too few. But Melo was really looking to move the basketball. He was a willing passer and helped move the ball where it needed to go. This is a new role for him. He doesn’t like it. No one would after he’s been the star he’s been for as long as he has. But Melo is making a sacrifice. And he said he is cool with this as long as the team wins.
4. 3rd Quarter
The Thunder still tripped over themselves in the third quarter just like they have all season long. The team loses focus. They don’t move the ball like they had been to begin the game. They scored just 18 points in the third quarter. But the team went cold also in the second quarter as OKC scored just 20 points. Sure, the Thunder need to score more in both quarters, but the Thunder’s defense was different in the third compared to the rest of the game. The Thunder don’t have the same level of energy on the defensive side of the ball and that is where their issues in the third quarter begin. If they can get some stops and score in transition, maybe the Thunder’s third quarter woes won’t be as noticeable. The Thunder allow quick points and then the third quarter snowballs into a disaster. OKC will slowly figure out the shooting. I am confident of that. But the defense can mask those issues. While the offense struggles. The Thunder needs to have better defensive effort coming out of halftime and I think the issues in the third quarter will melt away.
5. Roberson’s Offense
Andre Roberson has been great the past few weeks. He has been doing a great job of cutting to the basket and turning down three’s. He took way too many three’s last season. Many of them were out of necessity. But this season he is turning them down and moving the ball. Billy Donovan has done a great job of using him as a screener to open other players and the defenses are forgetting Dre as he cuts to the basket for easy layups. The did it down the stretch in Philadelphia and Russ was looking for Dre in the first half tonight with Steven Adams out. Billy D has done a great job of finding a way to make Andre an offensive option and Dre has done a good job of making himself available and he is finishing around the basket. Dre scored eight points on 4-6 shooting.
The Thunder return to action Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz. Tip is at 7 p.m. inside the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
 
