OKC Thunder Storms Through the Atlanta Hawks; Hawks Lose By 7

RECAP:

It all started with Kevin Durant deciding to play in this game. Durant was listed as doubtful the day before and a game-time decision hours before the game. Knowing Durant, who didn’t see him suiting up and playing? The guy is a winner. Anyway, in the first quarter, the Hawks got off to a quick start , making their first four shots, and had the early lead. However, that changed when Al Horford picked up his second foul around the 7 minute mark and was forced to sit on the bench. When Horford went out, the Thunder started making their move. They took the lead (around the 3 minute mark) and never (or rarely) looked back. With Horford and Smoove (DNP, injured) both on the bench, the Thunder took advantage of the Hawks’ weak interior D. They kept going inside. Coach Drew even tried to play some zone to limit the points in the paint late in the first quarter, but the Thunder still converted. Jason Collins, Zaza Pachulia, Josh Powell, and Marvin Williams were asked to protect the paint, none of them succeeded. The Thunder scored a whopping 20 points in the paint in the first quarter, compared to the Hawks 10. Still, the Hawks only found themselves down 5.

In the second quarter, it was the same story. Even when Al Horford was in, the Thunder (James Harden in particular) still found success going inside. The Thunder had an open lane to the paint and they took advantage of it. Fortunately for the Hawks, Joe Johnson had it going. He carried the Hawks in the first half, scoring 16 points in 8 for 14 shooting. Even with Horford’s minutes being limited to 11 minutes*, Durant scoring 18 points in the first half, the Thunder dominating inside, and Josh Smith not playing, the Hawks only found themselves down five after one half.

*Al Horford picked up his 3rd foul with 5 minutes left in the 2nd quarter.

Third quarter, similar story. The Thunder and the Hawks traded shot after shot, neither team didn’t played much defense. The Hawks’ played worst defensively though,  at one point, giving the Thunder 8 consecutive field goals made. That run by the Thunder was good enough to put them up 10 at the end of the 3rd.

Fourth quarter, the Hawks tightened up their D and the Thunder offense stunk it up.  Only problem now was that the Hawks’ shots weren’t falling. Still, the Hawks slowly came back, cutting the lead up to 2 points with only about a minute and a half left in the game. Russell Westbrook quickly answered back with a wide open 3, and basically, that was it for the Hawks. The Hawks had a chance to pull off a second straight comeback, but give the Thunder credit on executing when they needed to. Hawks lost by 7.

Why the Hawks (and their fans) shouldn’t feel that bad about the loss:

In every single Hawks loss, there is always a handful of people who act like the sky is falling. There are losses where Hawks fans should feel worried, but this isn’t one of them. If you looked at the Hawks’ situation, it seemed like they should have lost by more than 7 points. Josh Smith was out, Horford was in foul trouble in the first half (never got his groove going), the opposing team was going inside easily, and two of the opposing team’s best players had good games. As I watched the game, I was surprised that the Hawks managed to stay close and in striking distance. This was still a winnable game by the Hawks, but the Thunder just made some good plays late in the game. Can’t win every game.

My other Noteable Notes:

• The Thunder had more points in the paint (34) in the first half than the Chicago Bulls had all game on Wednesday.
  

• Kevin Durant makes it look so easy. It didn’t even look like he worked that hard for his 29 points. He wasn’t that physical (probably due to the injury), but he made shots. It seemed like no matter what the Hawks did, Durant was just making shot after shot. Just to think, I wonder how dominant would he have been in this game if he was fully healthy. Kevin Durant finished with 29 points in only 18 shots. He also added 8 rebounds and 5 assists.

• Russell Westbrook is one of the best sidekicks. Heck, I’m not even sure if you can call him a sidekick. He’s that good. He dominated the Hawks’ all game long and played with a good intensity throughout the game. I personally didn’t like all the showboating and all the talking he made, but if you’re that good, why not? Westbrook finished with 28 points and 9 assists.

• James Harden had another good game for the Thunder. If he could keep up the level of play he has shown the past few games, the Thunder will be real dangerous, especially when Perkins and Robinson heals from their injuries.

• Kirk Hinrich seems to be getting more comfortable with the offense. He hit on more than half of his field goal attempts and finished with 21 points. Unfortunately for the Hawks, he couldn’t stop Russell Westbrook like he stopped Derrick Rose. Still though, I’m liking the Hinrich trade.

• No one should be making Joe Johnson jokes right now. He played a good game and kept the Hawks in it for most of the game. Even Thabo Sefolosha couldn’t slow him down. Joe was just feeling it. The box score had him going 11 for 24, but watching it live, it seemed like Joe had his way with the Thunder.

• Etan Thomas sighting? He actually played well in the few minutes he played in. His last two shots were just downright horrible, but the physicality he showed was fun to watch. In the depth chart, I would have him right after Zaza Pachulia, probably tied with Jason Collins. He should be ahead of Josh Powell and Hilton Armstrong in the depth chart though. Hope to see more of him.

• Jeff Teague. How about him? He actually converted his drives yesterday. Is he getting his confidence back and getting more comfortable now? I hope so. He had two of the worst careless turnovers of the game, but still, signs of hope for Teague.

• The Magic lost yesterday, but unfortunately, the Hawks did too. The Hawks are still 2 1/2 games back from the 4th seed and the Orlando Magic.

Next game is against the New York Knicks at Philips Arena on Sunday. The Knicks are 3 for 6 since the Carmelo trade and hopefully 3 for 7 after Sunday. Will Josh Smith be back by Sunday?