By Taylor Marten – Wannamakeabet Staff Writer
Golden State Warriors -6 vs. OKC Thunder
Golden State Warriors (13-4)
Warriors’ superstar Kevin Durant attempted to downplay the matchup against his former team (Thunder), saying, “Just a regular game for me now. I learned how to tune out the crowd.”
Tell that to ESPN. The network has been heavily promoting the rivalry with an ad featuring Durant and Russell Westbrook to the backdrop of the Demi Lovado pop song, “Sorry Not Sorry.”
The Warriors matchup against Oklahoma City Wednesday night is the final game in a four-game road trip that’s included Boston, Philadelphia, and Brooklyn. All three games have showcased how Golden State performs when they’re locked-in and just going through the motions.
The Warriors saw two 17-point leads squandered last Thursday against Boston before losing by four. Two nights later, playing the 76ers, Philadelphia blew the doors off Golden State in the first half, scoring 47 points in the first quarter and leading by 22 points at halftime. But as the Warriors have proven over the last three seasons, no opponent’s lead is safe until the final buzzer. Golden State flipped the switch on Philly in the third quarter, outscoring the upstart Sixers 47-15 before cruising to a win. The following night (Sunday) versus Brooklyn, the Warriors’ 22-point halftime lead over the Nets evaporated to just four with 2:38 left in the fourth quarter; Golden State ultimately secured the victory even without the services of Kevin Durant (day-to-day with an ankle injury).
Durant remains questionable for Wednesday, but it’s a good bet that he’ll play. Don’t expect the Warriors to overlook this matchup; it’s not ‘just’ another game. After all their recent success, Golden State does treat some regular season games more seriously than others, but expect the ‘on switch’ to be flipped up from the start.
Oklahoma City Thunder (7-9)
This isn’t the start that anybody anticipated from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Most expected it would take some time before the new Big 3 of Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony rattled off a string of wins in dominant fashion, but their play so far this season has been—uninspiring, to say the least.
Westbrook has gone from league MVP last year to shooting under 40% from the field. He needs to be less concerned about getting his teammates involved and more focused on putting the ball in the bucket. Westbrook is a transition monster and at his best when he’s driving to the hole for layups or kicking out for open shots.
When the Thunder are set-up in the half-court, the offense needs to run through Paul George. His size, talent, and skill will ensure a quality offensive possession that results in a good shot more often than not. It’s Carmelo Anthony who needs to make the most dramatic change. The days of Anthony playing isolation ball on the wing need to be over. He can spot up on the perimeter and post up, but his game has to be more like Warriors’ third option, guard Klay Thompson. Shoot if you’re open—pass immediately if you’re not.
It’s still early in the season, but there’s too much at stake for this franchise to keep playing like they have been. Whether it’s a coaching change, trade, or different style of offense, something has to give. Playing Golden State is a measuring stick for most teams and that will be the case again in Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
Picks
The term ‘any given night’ certainly applies to the NBA regular season. But the Warriors know what this game means to Durant and the gasoline that ESPN has poured on this matchup. The Warriors will come focused and ready to play. Oklahoma City certainly has the talent to compete with Golden State, but until the Thunder put it together consistently, I’m rolling with Warriors -6.