GT: OKC Thunder (41-30) @ San Antonio Spurs (44-26) on ESPN 9:30 EST

[Thunderfan86]

Russell Westbrook and Enes Kanter are helping the Oklahoma City Thunder strengthen their hold on the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Facing the San Antonio Spurs could keep the Thunder rolling.

Westbrook and Kanter look to continue their superb play Wednesday night when Oklahoma City attempts to tie its longest winning streak against the Spurs.

The Thunder (41-30) are eighth in the West and have moved three games ahead of ninth-place Phoenix behind four straight wins and six in the past seven.

Westbrook has been a force for all season for Oklahoma City, and is getting ample help from Kanter lately.

Westbrook is a top contender for MVP, leading the league with 27.5 points per game. His importance to the Thunder has been obvious with reigning league MVP Kevin Durant (foot) out indefinitely, averaging 32.7 points, 11.2 assists and 9.6 rebounds over the last 13 games.

Despite the recent success in the face of injuries to Durant, as well as starters Serge Ibaka, Andre Roberson and key reserve Nick Collison, Westbrook downplayed the idea that the Thunder are getting comfortable playing without their superstar.

''You can never get used to playing without one of the best players in the world,'' Westbrook said of Durant. ''But our job is to come out and compete every night at a high level."

Kanter, who was acquired in a trade from Utah last month, has proven to be a huge addition. Over his last eight games, he's scoring 21.6 points on 58.7 percent shooting and pulling down 12.6 boards.

They were both impressive in Tuesday's 127-117 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Westbrook had 27 points and 11 assists, while Kanter had a double-double in the first quarter before finishing with 25 points and 16 rebounds.

The center was a big reason why the Thunder had a 66-58 scoring advantage in the paint and a 49-28 edge on the glass.

"We did a good job of just staying in attack mode and finishing well in the paint," Westbrook said. "(Kanter) did a good job of being aggressive. Enes has good touch, especially around the paint and you are seeing that early."

Another strong performance from the duo could be just what Oklahoma City needs to beat San Antonio (44-26) for a seventh straight matchup, tying its longest winning streak in the series set as the Seattle SuperSonics from April 19, 1993-Nov. 30, 1994.

Westbrook is averaging 30.7 points in his last three meetings with the Spurs, scoring 34 with 11 assists, five rebounds and as many steals in a 114-106 road win on Christmas.

Kanter will face the Spurs for the first time since joining the Thunder after he averaged 12.3 points and 9.8 rebounds in his last four matchups with Utah.
I'm curious to see how our front line will play against the Spurs tonight. Will they continue to dominate in the paint or get dominated? Can't wait to find out...

[Im Still Ballin]

Please reference that quote.

[buddha]

i'd like the Thunder's chances better if they were at home. I don't think they win this one.

[Thunderfan86]

Please reference that quote.
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/preview/NBA_20150325_OKC@SA

[Graviton]

I think we get blown out in this one, after that loss vs Dallas yesterday Pop is gonna get them motivated for their own home court. Spurs are 26-8 at home, their last loss outside that crazy Cavs overtime game was in January 31 to the Clippers.

[imdaman99]

Can't see a way for Thunder to win. Expecting an off Westbrook game, after he finally shot over 50% last night for the first time in 6 months. Hopefully it's a close game, don't like blowouts. I'm thinking it will be a good game.

[Graviton]

Can't see a way for Thunder to win. Expecting an off Westbrook game, after he finally shot over 50% last night for the first time in 6 months. Hopefully it's a close game, don't like blowouts. I'm thinking it will be a good game.
Really? 6 months? Dude truly doesn't give a ****. :roll:

edit: Nvm last time was a month ago vs Denver. :coleman:

[Fudge]

Can't see a way for Thunder to win. Expecting an off Westbrook game, after he finally shot over 50% last night for the first time in 6 months. Hopefully it's a close game, don't like blowouts. I'm thinking it will be a good game.
:coleman:

Feb 22nd.

[Natureland]

The last Thunder/Spurs game was incredible with everybody ganging up on ninephive and his Parker love. :lol

Spurs probably take this.

[Thunderfan86]

Stupid tornadoes tearing up my state right now. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

Fvck this shit!

[navy]

Stupid tornadoes tearing up my state right now. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

Fvck this shit!
That's what you get for living in Oklahoma. :lol

Stay safe though.

[Thunderfan86]

That's what you get for living in Oklahoma. :lol

Stay safe though.
Well, I'm safe and my house is still in one piece. I hope the other ISH posters that live in this area are safe as well. :cheers:

[Graviton]

The game started wtf, 45 minutes early.

[24-Inch_Chrome]

Waiters is painful to watch. Especially when Westbrook makes a tougher bucket on the next possession.

[24-Inch_Chrome]

Even his passing is bad. A simple bounce pass looked horrible.

[BlazerRed]

Waiters is painful to watch. Especially when Westbrook makes a tougher bucket on the next possession.
Waiters is terribad.

[24-Inch_Chrome]

Waiters is terribad.

He may be the worst starter in the league...I can't think of anyone else off the top of my head.

[Thunderfan86]

Waiters is terribad.
No he's not bro....chill out

[24-Inch_Chrome]

I can't not respect Westbrook...the guy takes a shot to his broken face and he's up and at it like nothing happened immediately. Pure competitor.

[christian1923]

Was ginobili trying to take out westbrook? Wtf

[Graviton]

Dion Waiters and Kyle Singler are so useless, get Morrow in there please.

[24-Inch_Chrome]

GOATbrook, what a finish to the 1st.

:applause:

[imnew09]

Goatbrook gon goat

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Jordan wishes he were the athlete Westbrook is.

[dabigbaws]

waiters has been good the last few games settle boys

[KG215]

This one, so far, is going about as I expected. We're not having much trouble scoring, but our defense is so bad we can't get enough stops for it to really matter.

[Graviton]

Man imagine this team fully healthy, why did everything go so wrong this year. :(

[24-Inch_Chrome]

This one, so far, is going about as I expected. We're not having much trouble scoring, but our defense is so bad we can't get enough stops for it to really matter.

McGary looked bad defensively in the first quarter, Spurs kept just rolling past him. He doesn't seem to be quick enough to make the turn as they spin.

[Paul George 24]

Jordan wishes he were the athlete Westbrook is.

ARE U RETARD :facepalm

[KG215]

McGary looked bad defensively in the first quarter, Spurs kept just rolling past him. He doesn't seem to be quick enough to make the turn as they spin.
Yeah, McGary is already very solid as an offensive big and rebounder, especially for a rookie; but he has a long way to go defensively.

[christian1923]

Boris Diaw toying with Kanyer and McGary

[Graviton]

Perry Jones. :facepalm

[Thunderfan86]

This team is horrible on the defensive end. I mean HORRIBLE! We might as well hire Mike D'Antoni :coleman:

[dabigbaws]

This team is horrible on the defensive end. I mean HORRIBLE! We might as well hire Mike D'Antoni :coleman:

were missing 2 top 10 defenders in the game, top 5 with durant

[Thunderfan86]

were missing 2 top 10 defenders in the game, top 5 with durant
Let me enjoy my meltdown.....please don't ruin it with facts. Thanks! :cheers:

[imnew09]

Thats game

[24-Inch_Chrome]

I've got a nasty feeling that Westbrook is going to start chucking soon.

[Thunderfan86]

This team isn't ready.....even with Durant and Ibaka.

[Uncle Drew]

The Spurs are going all the way.

[KDthunderup]

OKC always gets bent over against the Spurs without Serge, they just run amok in the paint

[PsychoBe]

tony parker showed up early. he was usually the first one to show up in the locker room. him and pop would usually go over some plays, the keys to the game, and so on. however to parker's surprise, duncan was there as well.

"you're early" parker said to duncan nonchalantly as he began to change into his warm-ups.

duncan smirked at him and placed a hand on his cleanly shaved head. "i'm just making sure that you're okay," he said. he was genuinely worried. russel westbrook was on a tear lately and he wanted his teammate to be ready for him. however, parker took it as a more suggestive comment.

"timmy...." parker trailed off. the way he said it made it sound like a warning.

"what? I can't be worried about you?" duncan asked. parker moved past him and began to head out, but he was stopped when duncan grabbed him by his wrist.

"hey, at least have the decency to answer me." duncan said. why was parker giving him the cold shoulder?

parker firmly removed duncan from his grasp. "stop it timmy. don't do this, not now."

duncan began to get offended. did parker think that he wanted to take advantage of him? before a big game no less? "tony calm down this isn't like back then. I'm not trying to hurt you," he pleaded. "I was just genuinely worried."

parker sighed and put his head down. he felt awful for flying off of the handle like that. "i'm sorry timmy. i circled this game on my calendar. i wanted to do so well. i'm nervous."

duncan placed his hand on his shoulder. "don't try to do it alone. we're a team remember? and besides, we have the finals mvp." he chuckled.

parker chuckled as well. "you're right timmy. after we win i'll make up being short with you by taking you out to dinner. how does that sound?"

duncan gave parker's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "that sounds terrific."

[Graviton]

This is depressing to watch, it's like an NBA team vs bunch of D League scrubs (outside Westbrook/Kanter).

[imdaman99]

I can't stress how bad Kanter is on defense. He has no idea whatsoever that DJ Augustin is on Kawhi and he is busy watching his man instead of offering help defense, even though he would stand still anyway and watch Leonard get a layup regardless. Fk this guy, he wants max he can walk.

[KG215]

Well, at least we hung tough for 1.5 quarters. The Spurs will cruise to an easy victory the rest of the night. Too many injuries and not near enough on the defensive end to slow them down.

[BlakFrankWhite]

Our worst performance in some time

[Megabox!]

Jeff as a commentator always makes me laugh. His little rants are a thing of beauty :lol

[Fudge]

My dick ain't hard anymore. :(

[Thunderfan86]

This shit is too fvcking easy.....too fvcking easy. The Spurs offense making us look like a D-League team out there.

[Thunderfan86]

My dick ain't hard anymore. :(
:roll:

[KDthunderup]

To be fair Spurs have been hitting everything, contested or not.

[BlakFrankWhite]

We're making Parker look like prime D-rose

[Locked_Up_Tonight]

We're making Parker look like prime D-rose.

Parker sitting out again?

[Graviton]

We're making Parker look like prime D-rose
Every perimeter player looks like Jordan against us, last game a rookie dropped 30 points on 63% shooting on us.

[KDthunderup]

This is a make shift team, nothing to what would of been in training camp practicing defensive schemes. Give them an off-season.

[BlazerRed]

We're making Parker look like prime D-rose.

Parker sitting out again?
:yaohappy:

[BlakFrankWhite]

Can the spurs even miss a shot?

[fragokota]

SAS may win their First b2b title if they can stay healthy.

[BlakFrankWhite]

You know you're f###ed when even Tim Duncan scores a 3

[imdaman99]

This is why Perry Jones can't get minutes. He is shooting bricks on wide open 3s, why should anyone scramble to cover him? Meanwhile Duncan hits a 3 :oldlol:

[navy]

Can the spurs even miss a shot?
You watch the Finals last year? :lol

[imdaman99]

If Scott Brooks has a backbone, he will bench everyone and concede the game.

[Gabuyaux]

30 point lead with 5 minutes to go in the 3rd :eek:

[Alamо]

Make it end already

[Graviton]

Good game Spurs fans, I kinda knew it would be a blowout but expected at least a 20 point game. :lol

:cheers:

[gts]

You know you're f###ed when even Tim Duncan scores a 3That would be number 30 on his career

[toxicxr6]

Holy hell thunder.. Just checked the score
:roll:

[Fudge]

This is embarrassing.

Oh well, if/when the Suns lose, we won't lose any ground for the 8th seed.

[dazzer87]

LOL...just turned to ESPN......RAPE

[Thunderfan86]

LOL...just turned to ESPN......RAPE
Pretty much. Is there anything else you would like to say?

[Fudge]

Pretty much. Is there anything else you would like to say?
Phoenix looks like they're going to lose.

I may be hard AF again. :banana:

[navy]

The Thunder have legit defensive problems. Ibaka and KD will help, but the defense wasnt great with them either.

Cant win a title with bad defense.

[Thunderfan86]

Phoenix looks like they're going to lose.

I may be hard AF again. :banana:
http://media.giphy.com/media/SiUIIdSKuCN1e/giphy.gif

[Fudge]

http://media.giphy.com/media/SiUIIdSKuCN1e/giphy.gif
:roll:

[Thunderfan86]

You were right Fudge, the suns lost. Walk around proud my friend! :cheers:

http://media.giphy.com/media/K5IEMtDZHxQZy/giphy.gif

[Fudge]

http://www.gifbin.com/bin/102012/1350323170_weatherman_tropical_storm_john_boner.gi f

[Thunderfan86]

http://www.gifbin.com/bin/102012/1350323170_weatherman_tropical_storm_john_boner.gi f
:roll: :roll: :roll: