Oklahoma City for the second straight night suffered a heartbreaking defeat after falling to Portland 115-112. The Thunder now hold just a half game lead for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference. One can't help but wonder how these last two games would've gone if Oklahoma City had Kevin Durant. That's what can't be forgotten here. Yes, Oklahoma City lost two games, but they were two road games without the services of number 35. There really is a silver lining here, and the Thunder just came up short.
It sure didn't feel like it would go this way though. The Thunder maintained a decent lead for most of the night but in the end, Portland's spacing and shot making was just too much. At the end of the game Russell Westbrook was fouled in the act of shooting a game-tying three. His first free throw just came up short. One can't help but wonder if fatigue had finally gotten to Russell. Westbrook finished the game with his third consecutive triple-double by scoring 40 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, and dishing out 11 assists.
There's a large amount of Thunder fans that have lobbied for head coach Scott Brooks' job for the entire season, but tonight he really did a poor job down the stretch. Andre Roberson's spacing took the Thunder completely out of an offensive flow. Brooks inexplicably left Anthony Morrow on the bench and opted for Roberson and Kyle Singler. Singler makes a lot of sense in that situation, but Roberson does not. Morrow was 4/4 at halftime for 13 points and somehow didn't get a shot in the second half. What's also unbelievable is that Mitch McGary was 10/13 for 20 points and nine rebounds and couldn't get on the floor down the stretch. Brooks inability to dictate matchups and adjust on the fly is his biggest flaw as a coach. Now, while this writer is not like others in thinking he definitely needs to be fired, it is inherently frustrating that lineups that make the most sense to everyone else in the world never end up on the floor.
Thunder fans shouldn't forget that this game was played without a center and without Kevin Durant. Steven Adams will be back within a week or so, and Enes Kanter will most likely play on Sunday. After a back-to-back that was rather tough, even for a fully healthy squad, the Thunder now has one last road game against the Los Angles Lakers, and then will return home for a Wednesday night game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Steven Adams was originally ruled out for three weeks and Sunday will mark three weeks exactly. Kevin Durant is set to be re-evaluated on Sunday. There's light on the horizon. With Westbrook's high level play, and Durant maybe returning in the next week, OKC may finally be whole. Remember, Durant has yet to play with the new guys, nor has the team had a practice day as a whole team yet.
The Blazers earned this one down the stretch. LaMarcus Aldridge hit shot after shot and just willed the Blazers to victory. Aldridge finished the game with 29 points and 16 rebounds. Damian Lillard also scored 29 points while dishing out five assists. They're chasing higher seeding, while OKC is back to fighting for its playoff life. The Thunder has 23 games remaining, 14 of those will be played in Oklahoma City. The Thunder have been a strong home team all season, and if that continues, there's really no reason this team should have trouble making the playoffs. The ride's been bumpy, but it's about to get a lot smoother.