Thunder take a 3-0 lead over the Nuggets ~ My 1st visit to the Pepsi Center

I finally made it to the Pepsi Center for Game 3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder v Denver Knicks game (i.e. just kidding!!!).  Actually, it's the Denver Nuggets.  I couldn't resist making the joke. 

I arrived at the Pepsi Center early and decided just to park close to the arena for $15. As I waited with other NBA fans til about 6:45PM to get into the building for an 8PM start, the smell of buttered popcorn wafted outside.  Yes, I was sold.  I bought popcorn the minute I walked in.  A girl has to eat, right?

Sporting my new Nuggets hat (i.e. less than $20 from the team store) I went to my seat.  Everyone in the arena had a light blue Nuggets rally towel waiting for them on his/her seat.  Nice.  I save those towels and use them as kitchen towels.

As I watched the pre-game shoot around and warm-ups, I watched J.R. Smith and his teammates shoot trick shots.  Smith's final shot was a full court heave towards the basket and it went IN.  Ending on a high note, Smith ran into the tunnel to get ready for the game.  ****  Who knew this would foreshadow the outcome of the evening's game?

As the pregame festivities went on, I was reminded that the cartoon, South Park, is set in Colorado by Cartman on the jumbotron.  Too funny!

Nuggets fans are passionate about their team.  They cheered as the Nuggets battled the Thunder, but there were a good number of Thunder fans present at the game.  It was good to see all the Nuggets old school jerseys and T-shirts with "English" on the back.  ****  I met NBA Legend, Alex English, a couple of years ago during the All-Star break, and he was a nice guy.

Whenever I looked at the scoreboard it always seemed as though Kevin Durant and the Thunder were up about 6-8 points.  Whenever I looked towards the court, it seemed like either Russell Westbrook or Kevin Durant was talking to a ref and complaining.  I like Durant and Westbrook, but nobody likes a whiner.  Sorry.  I call it like I see it.  Maybe that's why BOTH Durant and Westbrook were called for technical fouls. 

Regardless, the game was a little chippy and there was a good degree of physicality during the game.  However, physical basketball and a good degree of banging on the court is to be expected ~ especially during the NBA playoffs.

Nuggets fans (i.e. sitting near me in the lower bowl) were convinced the Denver was going to nab Game 3.  Unfortunately, for them, this wasn't the case.  I disagree with the 4 guys in their 20s who were sitting in front of me.  I don't believe that you can blame the Nuggets' defeat on the George Karl's rotation.  I believe that you can attribute the loss to the lack of effectiveness from Al Harrington, Raymond Felton, and anyone else who didn't grab an offensive rebound.

As the Nuggets fought back to close the Thunder lead, the fans at the Pepsi Center were on their feet.  With about 40 seconds left in the game, and the Thunder up about 6-8 points, some Nuggets "unfaithful" started to exit the building.  I find it ironic that the girl behind me (i.e. who looked like she was in her mid-20s) was the one who said, "I don't know why everyone is leaving.  40 seconds is a lot time in the NBA."  THAT is a girl who knows her stuff.

Final thought: The Nuggets fought back and cut the lead to 3 in the final seconds of the game.  The refs should've called the foul against the Thunder, as J.R. Smith took his final 3-point shot in the closing seconds of the game.  A foul is a foul, REGARDLESS of when it occurs during a game.  Nuggets' fans seemed to agree with me, since the "Boos" were very loud and lasted for a few seconds when the game ended.

Smith deserved to shoot 3 free throws.  He was fouled.

The Nuggets had balanced scoring with numerous high scorers with 15 points.  Scott Brooks' Thunder squad is definitely gelling and Serge Ibaka was the player that really stepped up his game for the night.  Durant led the Thunder with 26.  Westbrook contributed 23, and Ibaka added 22. 

Final score 97-94.  The Thunder won.

Great all-around game for the Thunder!  It goes without saying that the Nuggets have their work cut out for them for Game 4, which is tonight at 10:30PM ET.

THE WIRK

1+1+2+1 = 5 technical fouls in 10 seconds ~ Ken Mauer stole the show in Minneapolis

I found a video on Youtube of Ken Mauer giving out five technical fouls to the Minnesota Timberwolves last night, when they hosted the San Antonio Spurs.  The video isn't that great, but I'll take it.



Here is the order for the technical fouls:

1. Corey Brewer
2. Darko Milicic
3. Kurt Rambis
4. Kurt Rambis, and
5. Kevin Love

Yep, 1+1+2+1 = 5 techs in 10 seconds.

I don't know if I'm alone, but it kind of reminds me of the scene in the movie, "Clue", where the Butler tries to count the bullets in the gun.


THE WIRK

Spurs defeat the Timberwolves ~ Rambis left in the 3rd, Beasley left in the 4th

$20 tonight would've gotten you a ticket to see the San Antonio Spurs v Minnesota Timberwolves.  The final score was 107-96.  Kevin Love had another double-double, 20 points and 20 boards.  Michael Beasley played but has been bothered by a bad ankle.  Luke Ridnour and Martel Webster both contributed 18 points in the losing effort.  The Timberwolves shot poorly all night, 38% was the field goal percentage. 

 No one will beat the Spurs shooting 38%.  It's not rocket science.

The Spurs were just too tough for Kurt Rambis' squad.  Correction:  Maybe I should say Bill Laimbeer's squad since the technical fouls were flying and Rambis was ejected with about 8:30 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter.

I knew that the Spurs would win tonight, but I thought that perhaps the Timberwolves would raise their level of play to compete.  I also thought tonight's game would be a chance for Gregg Popovich to rest his "starters".  I was wrong.  Tim Duncan, Richard Jefferson, Manu Ginobili, and Tony Parker all contributed substantial minutes and balanced scoring. 

As much as I'm not a Tony Parker fan, I can't deny the fact that the man is good.  Here's a picture of him in the air, after driving the lane, and dishing the ball to a teammate for an assist.

There wasn't much energy in the Target Center tonight.  I think the most fan energy came out during the t-shirt toss.  Regardless, for $20, I was pleased with the level of entertainment and had plenty of Tweet material. 

There was a very scary moment for Timberwolves' fans when Beasley drained a 3 with just under 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter.  He landed and immediately grabbed his ankle.  He was able to get up, but hopped as he was helped off the court. 

Spurs maintain their dominance and improve to 32-6.  Timberwolves settle for 9-30, and everyone hopes Beasley's not hurt seriously.

Here are my Tweets from the game.   If you're not following, you're missing out.  Most recent Tweets are on top and the older ones are towards the bottom.

• Beasley just drained a 3 and went down. Had to be helped off court. He hopped to locker room. #Twolves v #Spurs. Fans headed to exits.
• They're tossing t-shirts into crowd and finally Target Center wakes up. Game isn't out of reach for #Twolves v #Spurs but no energy here.
• #Twolves fg% is 39%... Shooting is so cold in here, that I might need my handwarmers from the AFC Wildcard game in KC. #Spurs up 93-83.
• With 8:36 left in the 3rd, Kurt #Rambis is ejected. The techical fouls are flying now. Kevin #Love just got one also. #spurs v #twolves
• #Twolves hype guys just said something about the best entertainment in the #WNBA. Um, huge slip up. This isn't a WNBA game, is it? #Spurs
• Latino night at Target Center so we got to listen to genie in a bottle in Spanish. Really? Is that the best song to play? #Spurs #Twolves
• 2 minutes into the game and Tony Parker doesn't look like he's texting... Good news is that he hadn't scored yet either. #spurs v #twolves
• Why they even assigned seat locations to these tickets is nuts. Should be open seating like at a movie theater #Spurs v #Twolves
• #Spurs v #Timberwolves... #Beasley playing... Let's make it a ball game!

I just got a technical foul from Ken Mauer...  Wait..  What?!!?  LOL.

THE WIRK