THUNDER JOURNAL
Paul George shines on offense and defense for Thunder,
These Timberwolves are a tall task for Paul George.
The Thunder forward spends much of his defensive time and energy on Andrew Wiggins, but there are other threats — a possession on point guard Jeff Teague or slasher Jimmy Butler, some help on KarlAnthony Towns down low.
On Friday, George played his part at that end, but the Thunder forward also poured in 36 points and dished out nine assists, helping lead Oklahoma City to a 111-107 win at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
“He’s always been a player offensively that can create and let things come to him — make decisions, make passes, make shots, drives; he can make plays,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. “But he’s always engaged defensively. I think he takes a high level of responsibility to guard every night.”
Even as George worked defensively, he also helped Steven Adams carry the offensive load. Though George missed all five of his two-point shots in the fourth quarter, he was 2 for 2 from the 3-point line and 4 for 4 from the free-throw line in the final frame, scoring 10 of OKC’s 26 points.
Wiggins and Towns scored 23 points each and Butler added 22, but George helped offset their strong nights with one of his own.
“(Defense is) where I think he really puts a lot of focus,” Donovan said. “I think that’s why it’s so free and easy for him to play offensively, because he knows, ‘OK, I’m gonna get shots here or there, but if I can impact the game defensively,’ I think he prides himself on that end of the floor.”
In stitches
With 8:38 to play in the first quarter, Minnesota’s Towns scored inside and turned to get back on defense.
But as Towns turned, his head collided with Andre Roberson’s leaving both players feeling — and showing — the effects.
Roberson and Towns both left the court for stitches. Roberson got four above his left eye. Towns got some above his right eye. Both players returned to the game, Roberson later in the first quarter and Towns in the second.
Collison plays early
Nick Collison still can make that pinpoint pass to a baseline cutter. He still sets a mean screen.
The opportunities are fewer and further between, but on occasion, Collison gets his shot.
On Friday, it came earlier than normal.
Collison entered the game late in the second quarter to a roaring ovation from the fans at Chesapeake Energy Arena. He played the final 2:06 of the quarter, the first time this season he’s played firsthalf minutes.
It was only the third time Collison has played all season, but it was the second time in three games that Donovan had given him some run. Collison played 7:39 in the fourth quarter of last Saturday’s loss at Dallas and gave the Thunder some spark in a game it had played with little.
Against the Wolves, Collison had two points, a rebound and an assist in the first half.
“He’s always been a player offensively that can create and let things come to him — make decisions, make passes, make shots, drives; he can make plays, But he’s always engaged defensively. I think he takes a high level of responsibility to guard every night.”
Abrines stays seated
Alex Abrines didn’t play in the first half of Friday’s
Thunder coach Billy Donavan, on Paul George
game.
The backup guard didn’t play in Wednesday’s loss at Orlando and entered the Wolves game averaging less than 7 minutes per game over the Thunder’s past four games.
Donovan recently has alluded to Abrines’ defense as a reason for his limited playing time. After he turned to rookie Terrance Ferguson last Saturday to play minutes that normally go to Abrines, Donovan cited perimeter defense as a reason.
At Thursday’s practice, Donovan said Abrines’ skill level and understanding
of how to play “are strong positives,” but added that “Alex continuing to grow and develop defensively is important.”
Donovan also noted — as he often has — that Abrines missed most of preseason training camp with a knee injury and said that “hopefully someone like Alex has an urgency to get himself back to that point” where he’s playing more minutes.
Abrines entered Friday night averaging four points in 15.2 minutes per game, shooting 37.1 percent from the floor and 31.9 percent from 3-point range.