The present and future surprises of the NBA played a heated battle to close out the first season at the Ford Center. When the dust settled, both teams found themselves out of the playoffs and moving in different directions.
Oklahoma City ended Charlotte's dream of making the postseason in an 84-81 victory that the Thunder almost gave away. Blocking the last Bobcats' hope, Scott Brooks now takes his club on the road to finish off the rest of the schedule.
The Thunder also find themselves fighting with Memphis in the lottery placement race. OKC sits one 'ahead' of the Grizzlies and two over the T-Wolves heading into the final week. It is never good to talk about losses, but I do thank David Stern for letting the season end away from home.
It gives the best possibility in every way to end things -- either the Thunder play well and surprise people or lose and secure a potentially higher draft pick. See, wins all around and now they just have to find a way to get the top selection in the Blake Race.
This was really a great way to send the fans home for the summer. Great win! I only wish we could see that kind of effort every night.