Fast Break Article 3/11/13 - Thunder vs. Spurs

           Tonight we have 2 great games. OKC vs. the Spurs and NYK vs. the Warriors are playing. Our key thing to watch for OKC vs. Spurs is who will step up for the Spurs?

            In the game earlier in December, Tony Parker had the highest scoring for the Spurs. He only scored 14 and didn’t play a spectacular game and the Thunder won. In the game at the start of the year, Tony Parker had a double-double. Tim Duncan stepped up and scored 20 points and the Spurs won.

            Another thing to look at is Serge Ibaka. In the first game, he scored 4 points and had 9 rebounds. In the game in December, Ibaka had 25 points and 17 rebounds. He will be a key factor in today’s game. If he can hit his outside jumper, Durant and Westbrook are free to run and drive. We saw this in the second game. If Ibaka can’t hit his outside shots, Duncan can stay down low and focus on blocking shots.

            Westbrook had a rough time in the first game. He was 6-21 from the field, 18 points, 6 turnovers, and only 5 assists. He also gave up the game winning jumper to Parker. In the second game, he was 6-18 from the field, 22 points, 1 turnover, and 9 assists. If Westbrook is under control and shoots well, Durant gets more shots and the Thunder get more points.

            The final key for the Thunder is Kevin Martin. If he can hit 3 pointers, nobody will be cheating in for the steals. This will give more driving space for everyone.

            The only keys for the Spurs are who will step up, and can they hold Westbrook without Parker, and can they stop Ibaka’s and Kevin Martin’s shooting?

            Here are the final keys for the Thunder and Spurs:

·        Thunder: Ibaka has to shoot well

·        Thunder: Westbrook has to shoot well

·        Thunder: Kevin Martin has to shoot well

·        Thunder: Kevin Durant needs to play well

·        Spurs: Stop outside shooting and allow Duncan to focus and blocking shots

·        Spurs: Who will step up with Parker?

·        Can they stop Westbrook and Durant

Prediction: Thunder win.

Video of November game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaYOnYdyzKM

Video of December game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLzDvoBRaDY