Recapping the Thunder’s 108-94 loss in Orlando
By CHRIS SILVA | THUNDER.NBA.COM
Nov 19 2009 12:10AM
For all the positives we’ve seen from the Thunder through the first three weeks of the regular season – the defensive improvement, the unselfish play, the effort – one thing Oklahoma City is still learning to do is put it all together on a consistent basis. It’s a lesson that’s still being learned. A night after manhandling one of the Eastern Conference’s finest in the Miami Heat, the Thunder was outplayed from the start against the reigning Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic in a 108-94 loss.
“Obviously, I don’t like how we played tonight but that is a part of what we have to go through as a team and group,” Thunder head coach Scott Brooks said. “Even individually, we have to find it every night. It is something we are improving on. Sure we had a bad night, but give the Magic credit.”
Yes, give the Magic a ton of credit. Even without their floor general, the injured point guard Jameer Nelson, the Magic never skipped a beat. Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson, who all missed the teams’ first meeting, an OKC win, played and contributed in major ways on Wednesday. Lewis, in his second game back from suspension, flirted with a triple-double (17 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists); Carter had 18 points and six rebounds; Anderson sparked the reserves with 12 points. The Magic made 41.8% of their shots, including 13-for-31 from behind the arc. The Magic put the Thunder in an 18-point deficit by halftime and down by 30 heading into the fourth quarter.
“That is a tough, tough team to play against when those guys are making shots,” forward Kevin Durant said. “At the beginning, we did not know how to handle it.”
Durant, like most of his teammates, struggled to get things going offensively. Orlando threw multiple looks and double-teams at the Thunder’s leading scorer. The Thunder’s bench, particularly in the fourth quarter, was one of the only bright spots. Nick Collison, Kevin Ollie, Serge Ibaka, Kyle Weaver, D.J. White and James Harden combined for 36 points in the fourth.
Harden had his best shooting night of his young career. He scored 24 points off the bench, including 6-for-7 from three-point range. Harden chalked it up to him gaining confidence.
“I am just putting in the extra work every single day,” he said. “You have to make sure your mechanics are right. You have to do the right things. Sometimes you might be doing everything right and your shot still doesn’t fall. You just have to make minor adjustments and stick with it. I had to stop second guessing myself.”
And a special thanks to all the Thunder fans who joined us at the Buffalo Wild Wings on Northwest Expressway for the Thunder watch party. Great meeting everyone.
Contact Chris Silva
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| Team | W | L | GB |
| Thunder |
21 |
6 |
0.0 |
| Nuggets |
16 |
12 |
5.5 |
| Trail Blazers |
15 |
13 |
6.5 |
| Jazz |
14 |
13 |
7.0 |
| Timberwolves |
13 |
16 |
9.0 |
|
