Blazers 106, Thunder 92

Durant-Oden II. Thunder-Sonics return to the Pacific Northwest. Young Guns vs. Younger Guns.

Add it all up and rather than cruise into the All-Star Break we had a game that featured all the playoff-type intensity you would hope for from division rivals.

Oden outplayed Durant. He unloaded angst-filled dunks and let out some of the frustration that evidently collected after last week's disappointing performance in OKC. KD played well but when you put up 30+ in five straight games anything less is a dropoff.

A contingent of Seattle supporters were in person to voice their displeasure. You know nobody throws a protest like Seattle. According to an Oklahoman report, one guy booed a kid wearing a Durant OKC jersey. On TV it sounded like two or three (at best) voices joined in unison at the beginning of the game. (Interesting Blazers fans observations here)

The game ultimately took center stage. The Thunder gave the Trail Blazers all they wanted. The Blazers eventually pulled away in the 4th but both teams left the floor knowing they were in a scrap.

These inter-division games are quickly becoming the highlight of my blossoming Thunder fandom. Portland represents a two-to-three year's ahead version of the Thunder. The Thunder are a few pieces away from matching Portland's talent level. These two teams could provide the most anticipated matchup in the division for the next several years easily, if not in the NBA. It's within the realm of possibility that you'll have to go through OKC or Portland to win the division. Of course Denver will have something to say about that. Denver is turning into a great rival itself.

The Thunder have to be pleased heading into the break. They gave the best team in the NBA and a playoff team all they could handle on the road, back to back. The kicker is the Thunder didn't play their best basketball in either game. They shot under 40% in both games, they got worked in the paint and got into foul trouble. But they were in the games.