Maybe he just needs to play Oklahoma City all the time. Just looked different tonight: he pushed the pace when it suited the offense, hit open jumpers, forced turnovers, distributed as well as he’s done all season, played solid on-ball defense on Russell Westbrook (even though Westbrook hit tough shots)… He didn’t have an undeniably explosive game statistically, but he absolutely looked like a better player than we’ve seen all year.
All in all one of Williams’ best all-around games this season. HE’S ALIVE! HE’S ALIIIIVE!
Enormous game — perhaps his best all season. Started the game on fire, hitting a three-pointer, a floater, another three-pointer off an offensive rebound, and two more shots in the lane — in the first quarter. Johnson finished with 20 points in the first half, lofting corner threes effortlessly. Had a much quieter third quarter , but came out with some Iso Joe’s that worked in the fourth and gave this team a huge boost after the Thunder tied the game at 85.
Quiet game from Wallace — the most impressionable memory he left was airballing an early 3 and then stealing the outlet pass to regain possession. Update: As commenter saintvitusdance astutely points out, Wallace did in fact draw the foul on Durant that led to Durant’s ejection. Though Durant did have a classically Durant-like game, many of his points came on switches when Wallace wasn’t guarding him. So I gave him a morning-after letter up despite his offensive no-show.
Thought he had a game worthy of a starter off the bench — wasn’t perfect, but filled his role well, hit some shots inside, and made good on a pick-and-pop. Had some frightful moments in what always seems to be a frightful Nets third quarter, including back-to-back careless possessions to end the third. But got crunch time minutes over Reggie Evans, deservedly so.
Other than that slamajamdamn, Lopez took a lot of jumpers tonight, which would be a problem if he didn’t make most of them. Took over for a brief stretch in the fourth quarter on back-to-back possessions with a slick scoop shot and an and-one on just a tough look in the lane. Yes, he only had five rebounds, but he also had 25 big points. Can’t knock the hustle.
Hit a ridiculous “no way he called bank” floater to end the first half. Later faded away on a post-up move when he could’ve pounded Durant inside. Finished with double figures, though, so: wheeeeeee!
When he hits those corner 3’s the space on the floor opens up for Brooklyn. When he airballs them? Not so much.
God a few minutes of playing time because of C.J. Watson’s injury but didn’t do much of anything with them.
