Thunder/Rockets Game Thee Live Blog

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Two games into the Western Confonfernce Quarterfinals and already the Thunder are looking spent. And it's not because the Rockets are pushing the tempo or scoring in bunches.

No, the Thunder looks emotionally drained, especially Chris Paul. Over the last few days, Paul has not seemed himself. Not that you want to read too much into what you see in media sessions, but the usually talkative Paul has been short with his answers even when being lobbed softballs.

Paul was asked about the experience of having to see his first-round opponent every day in the Grand Floridian. His response quick and to the point. "Everybody at your hotel, you see em daily.".."That's part of the experience, and yeah."

Paul won't specify what about his game he didn't like on Thursday he'll say "It's a lot, it's a lot, I'll go back and look at the film, but I know what it is, it's a lot."

Billy Donovan says the whole team has to be better:

"I think a large part of the season we've had up to this point in time is because of Chris."..."I think that's what makes great players great players is they all look inside first, and I think we all need to look inside first."

Everyone would love to stick to a former boss that told you you weren't good enough to work someplace anymore (believe me, I know). However, you can get wrapped up in revenge and forget to look at the big picture.

Winning this series isn't about beating the Rockets, it's about advancing to the second round. Paul must forget about what happened last Summer and do what he's done all season long. Lead the Thunder to a win. 

First Quater:

No Changes in the starting lineup for game three. I would have like to have seen the Icon uniforms get busted out for this game. So you know, I'm working feverishly to find out why they are not on the uniform schedule. 

If you can take the punishment form hitting the basketball goal, you can easily make a punch from Mike Tyson. Can we all agree that Steven Adams is not just the toughest man in the NBA; he is the toughest man on planet earth?

For the third straight game, the Rockets are dictating how the game is going to be played. Excellent job of Adams taking advantage of the Rockets leaving a lane wide open, they don't do that often, so you must score when they give you the opportunity.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander needs to push the ball when he gets those turnovers, that is the only way to keep the Rockets from setting up in the zone.  

The Thunder are working their butts off on defense. They are active as heck with the hands, but it's not translating to points on the offensive end. Dort is making life miserable for Harden, not giving him anything easy, it's going to be up to the other four on the court to make sure, the worker bees don't score. 

The other thing you see with Oklahoma City is they still don't want to pick up the pace, and they are uncommon forcing anything offense. Hopefull, Schroder can change that. 

On that last possession, he took what he wanted and got the ball to Noel in the paint.  

I'm sure other NBA teams are community-minded, but, it's hard not to compliment the Thunder on what they are doing for the Greenwood District in Tulsa. Big props! 

29-23 Houston at the end of one. 

Second Quarter:

The Thunder offense is heating up, the bad news, so are the Rockets. Great fastbreak by Oklahoma City, Bazley was open for the outlet pass, but Gilgeous-Alexander found a way to get to the rim. And now Shai is on freaking fire! Five points two possessions. 

Unusual possession, Dort could have gone to the rim and gotten fouled, gave up the ball to a wide-open Chris Paul, who passed to a Danilo Gallinari for a contested shot? It worked, but still strange. 

Chris Paul took a page out of the Harden playbook on that effort to get to the free-throw line. The Thunder would be leading right now if they just hit their free-throws. 8/16 from the charity stripe! 

Schroder had hesitation in that last attempt from three. He should have gone into the paint and looked for an open man. I don't know how he didn't get called for a clear path foul on Harden.  

Schroder is making up for those last two mistakes going to the rim and getting fouled. 

The Thunder have never lead, and trail 63-57 at the half. 

Third Quarter:

Dort is 0-3 from three, but on that last shot, he had his feet set it was wide open, those are the shots you have to take. This is the second time the Thunder have had had a chance to tie the game this quarter. 

Gallinari is so smart! Houston doesn't make a lot of mistakes, and to get to the line to shoot three was pretty crafty. Then you see he come back on the defensive end.  

Thunder lead by fou!.  Let's see if they can build off this momentum and put some distance between you and Houston. 

Chris Paul is doing everything he can to help Oklahoma City win, but he can't will them to a victory the Harden can Houston.  Dort is making life difficult for Harden tonight, and he's still 11/22 for 24 points.  You can guard him for 22 seconds into the clock, but those last he can create space and nail it from just about any place on the floor. 

Paul is having a much better evening, although I'm sure what he can correct. Paul, who was minus 36 on Thursday, today he is plus one. 

Billy Donovan keeps shrinking his bench only eight players have seen the floor, it's also apparent he doesn't think Oklahoma city can play small ball with the Rockets. 

82-78 Houston at the end of three.

Fourth Quarter:

Thunder lead by five with 5:38 left. We'll have post-game coverage on inside the Thunder.