Thunder Cruise Past Clippers 111-88

While seeing BG fly through the air for yet another display of ferocity and elevation is thrilling, I was primarily concerned with OKC getting a key win over an inferior opponent on the front end of a back-to-back. Sure, the Blake show is more than welcome to create a poster co-starring a particularly pale Serbian so long as the Thunder can get the win. Hopefully Nenad is willing to sacrifice his pride by occasionally getting a whiff of BG's shorts as the cameras flash because it was more than likely going to happen.

With Eric Gordon out for the game, Thabo's effectiveness dropped significantly and it showed. James Harden played 24 minutes and Daequan Cook even got 7 minutes. I'm happy that Brooks gave them the chance. When Thabo is not required to shut down the opponent's best wing player, his inability to consistently to knock down shots on the offensive end is exacerbated.

Griffin and Durant both got off to their regular hot starts and kept the game close during the first quarter and a half. But when Griffin got into foul trouble the Thunder took advantage and ripped off a nice run to close the 1st half.

All they had to do in the 2nd half was keep taking care of the ball and limit the runs. Fortunately, the Clippers never seemed to get into a good rhythm and the Thunder never let up. 

James Harden was a big reason the LA never got close. Harden provided the kind of spark that Sam Presti has been looking for out of the young guard. Harden shot 50% from the field along with 50% from beyond the arc. Plus he knocked down all three of his foul shots in what is becoming a habit of getting fouled when shooting from 3 point land.

With the Thunder having a minimal 6 turnovers and the Clippers shooting less than 60% from the FT line, OKC had no problem putting the Clippers in their place and taking care of business at home.

Here is the box score courtesy of ESPN.

Next up: @ San Antonio Spurs, February 23 at 6 pm CT.