Thunder Insider: Stifling defense on Bryant
BY BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
5/16/12 at 3:47 AM
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1. Thunder defense stifles Laker star
Because of Thabo Sefolosha's relentless pressure and the help of his Thunder teammates, Laker guard Kobe Bryant consistently struggles offensively when facing Oklahoma City.
A review of Bryant's shooting against Oklahoma City this season:
- On Feb. 23, during a 100-85 Los Angeles defeat in Oklahoma City, Bryant totaled 24 points on 7-of-24 shooting from the field.
- On March 29, as the Thunder prevailed 102-93 at the Lakers' Staples Center, Bryant was 7-of-25 and finished with 23 points.
- On April 22, Bryant had a great fourth quarter as the Lakers rallied from a 17-point deficit to win 114-106 in double overtime. Again, though, his shooting overall was sub-par - 9-of-26.
- And on Monday, in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, Bryant scored 20 points on 7-of-18 shooting. Oklahoma City won 119-90.
Against the rest of the league this season, the 33-year-old Bryant averaged 28.1 points on 44 percent shooting. In four meetings with Oklahoma City, he has averaged 23.3 points on 32 percent shooting.
"We did a good job on (Bryant)," OKC coach Scott Brooks said Monday night, "but it's only one game. We need to do the same thing come Wednesday night."
2. A packed house, again and again
While the state's Division I college basketball programs struggle with attendance issues, Thunder fans continue to pack Chesapeake Energy Arena in downtown Oklahoma City. Game 2 of the Lakers-Thunder series, set for 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and televised by TNT, will be OKC's 60th consecutive home sellout (including playoff games).
Single-game Thunder tickets range in price from $275 to $10.
By the way, the all-time record for consecutive home sellouts - not just in the NBA, but throughout all of the U.S. major-league sports - is 814, set by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1977-95.
3. Westbrook's growth
In 17 playoff games last year, Thunder guard Russell Westbrook's scoring average was 23.8. Through five playoff games this year, his scoring average is 23.2. But while those figures are comparable, the rest of Westbrook's game has significantly improved.
During the 2011 postseason, the two-time All-Star shot 39 percent from the field overall, 29 percent from 3-point range and committed 4.6 turnovers per game. Entering Game 2 of the Laker series, he has become much efficient with his shooting (49 percent overall, 36 percent on 3-pointers) and dramatically better at taking care of the basketball (only 2.2 turnovers per game).
When Westbrook commits two or fewer turnovers, Oklahoma City is 17-1 this season.
Perkins' Game 2 statusis a game-time decision
OKLAHOMA CITY - Thunder starting center Kendrick Perkins will be a game-time decision for Game 2 against the Lakers on Wednesday night after aggravating a strained muscle in his right hip.
Perkins did not practice on Tuesday, only shooting free throws with his teammates at the end of the session.
He sat out most of last week while getting treatment for the injury, sustained May 5 in the final game of Oklahoma City's first-round sweep of Dallas.
- ASSOCIATED PRESS
Series shifts to Los Angeles
Game 3, set for 9:30 p.m. Friday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, is televised by ESPN. Saturday's Game 4, also in Los Angeles and also with a 9:30 p.m. start time, is televised by TNT.
Original Print Headline: Bill Haisten's Thunder Insider
GAME 1
Thunder.......................119
Lakers.......................... 90
Rested Thunder blitz weary Lakers.
GAME 2
8:30.p.m. Wednesday,
at Oklahoma City
TV: TNT-29
Radio: KYAL fm97.1
GAME 3
9:30.p.m. Friday,
at Los Angeles
TV: ESPN-25
Radio: KYAL fm97.1
GAME 4
9:30.p.m. Saturday,
at Los Angeles
TV: TNT-29
Radio: KYAL fm97.1
GAME 5
*8:30.p.m. Monday, at Oklahoma City
TV: TNT-29
Radio: KYAL fm97.1
GAME 6
*TBA May 23, at Los Angeles
TV: ESPN-25
Radio: KYAL fm97.1
GAME 7
*TBA May.27, at Oklahoma City
TV: TNT-29
Radio: KYAL fm97.1
Associated Images:
Thunder guard Russell Westbrook shoots toward the basket as the Lakers' Pau Gasol (left) tries to corral him. LARRY W. SMITH / Associated Press
Kobe Bryant tries to shoot over Thunder center Nazr Mohammed during Game 1 Monday night. SUE OGROCKI / Associated Press
Perkins
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