Cody's Blog

Possibly the most dynamic 8 seed in the history of the playoffs, the Oklahoma City Thunder average 22 years of age amongst their five starters, and are the NBA’s youngest team at 25 years old, having only 3 players older than 30 and half of their roster are players 23 years old or younger. Having gone down 2-0 in the series in Los Angeles, the Thunder have come back home and won their last two, completely demolishing the Lakers on Sunday, beating up on them 110-89. In the opening period Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant each scored 8 points, while Nenad Krstic added 4 as the Thunder ended the opening quarter with a 29-17 lead over the Lakers. In the second stanza, Serge Ibaka scored 6 points and blocked two shots, while rookie James Harden scored 7 points and the Thunder expanded their lead over the Lakers at the half 55-42. The Thunder would score 55 mor points in the second half, while holding the Lakers to 47 points. Kobe Bryant sored a mere 12 points in the game, posting only 3 points on 1-2 shooting in the first quarter. The Thunder had five in double figures, with three more just a shot away. Possibly the biggest factor, however, was the fact that the Thunder outscored LA by 25 points at the charity stripe, with all but two players at least attempting 2 or more free throws. As an 8 seed, many were doubting the Thunder’s ability to compete against the “mighty” Lakers, but I suspect that OKC can force a game 7 in LA because of their young, explosive players.