Attack-minded Westbrook as Thunder roll Rockets

Serge Ibaka showed the Thunder the best of what they let go.

Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) shoots the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

“I assume it means that he’s got a ton of respect for Russell and appreciates his game like we all do”, Nick Collison said. While it is shocking that a team would be six points per 100 possessions better defensively with Harden on the floor, the difference on offense is stunning. I will pick OKC to win.

Westbrook’s totally unnecessary, definitely risky, completely worthwhile savagery in the game’s final seconds saved what was otherwise a rather bland affair between the NBA’s two “one-man shows”. During this well executed secondary break, Oladipo draws three Rocket defenders to him by driving hard, which enables the former Indiana Hoosier to skip a pass to the wide-open Steven Adams for an uncontested floater.

“He had a special performance”, Magic coach Frank Vogel said. Make sure to remember we (the Charlotte Hornets) play you guys twice.

“I don’t worry about other people”.

He is averaging 31.8 points, 9.8 assists, and 9.5 rebounds for the 7-5 Thunder this season.

The Thunder take a similar approach with Westbrook, but without much shooting around him, OKC has developed a defensive identity.

“We were playing too slow”, he said.

The Pacers are more than familiar with facing the Cavaliers when LeBron James rests, so they didn’t get distracted by the four-time NBA MVP’s absence Wednesday night.

Despite a valiant comeback the Thunder were still 23 points down against Serge Ibaka’s Orlando, despite the fact that the Magic had the lowest points average in the entire National Basketball Association at that point in time.

Thaddeus Young added 16 points to help the Pacers improve to 6-1 at home (6-6 overall). “Losing is unacceptable. We got to do whatever it takes in our power to continue to keep winning”.

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s slump continued against the Detroit Pistons in the National Basketball Association, while the Los Angeles Clippers extended their winning streak. The ball isn’t just sticking with Harden and Westbrook in ways that they, themselves, haven’t before matched.

The Nets do not have a killer if this game does come down to the final minute.

Oklahoma City led 84-82 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Rockets could have used more points from Harden, but he admitted that his shot just wasn’t falling and that it had nothing to do with the defense of Andre Roberson. Payton finished one point short of his career high.

Nine Rockets played in this contest, and all of them scored at least 9 points.

If I am Billy Donovan, I’m pulling any big man (except Domantas Sabonis) that shoots a three. In the four games prior, ineffective two-way execution catalyzed Oklahoma City’s travails. The 66 points were the most the Raptors have given up in a first half at home since surrendering 71 to the Los Angeles Clippers on January 25, 2014. “I haven’t been here before”. “I didn’t know when”. And that motivated me every single night. “It feels kind of weird”. Both games were played in New Orleans.

The Thunder play at the Detroit Pistons on Monday.