As Derek Fisher makes strides towards his personal goal of winning his sixth NBA championship, the Oklahoma City Thunder have proven that they have what it takes to get Fish there.
Derek is cheered on by his teammates after hitting a three in Portland (Getty Images).
On Tuesday night, the Thunder won their fourth straight game since acquiring Fish, beating the Trail Blazers 109-95 at the Rose Garden in Portland. The victory moved Oklahoma City to 38-12 on the season, just two games behind the Chicago Bulls for the best record in the NBA, with 16 to play.
Derek said after Tuesday’s win, in which he chipped in with five points and a rebound in 16 minutes, that the Thunder have welcomed him to an already great team with open arms and it’s been a natural fit for him.
"From a distance, it felt like this team was very special. It felt like it would be a great fit," he told the Portland Tribune. "I feel happy, but I also feel fortunate. This team was great before I got here. And these guys have just overwhelmed me with how open they are to welcoming me to their group.
"For them to open their arms and adjust some of the things that they were doing before I arrived and try their best to help me get acclimated, it says a lot about their character and not just their abilities on the court, but what these guys are made of on the inside. That’s what means the most."
The Thunder showed what they were made of in Portland on Tuesday, jumping out to a big lead and then holding off a second half rally by the Trail Blazers to secure the victory.
D-Fish made his first appearance of the game when he checked in for Kevin Durant, who found himself in foul trouble, late in the first quarter. With a minute and a half left in the first, James Harden made a drive through the defense and hit No. 37 for a corner trey, extending the Thunder lead to 14 points.
Oklahoma City held a 32-18 lead, after one thanks to a 65-percent shooting effort. The Thunder continued to rack up the points in the second quarter, crashing the offensive glass for second chance points and boosting their lead to 65-47 at the half. Oklahoma City’s 65 points are the most points scored in a half against Portland this season.
D-Fish takes his familiar defensive stance (Getty Images).
But in a place such as Portland, one of the toughest arenas in the league to play, the Thunder were well aware that the Blazers would make a run. Sure enough, Portland trimmed the OKC lead to just five with under four to go in the third. But the Thunder endured, and by the time Fish checked in with 1:39 left in the quarter the lead was up to nine. Derek opened the fourth with a pull-up jumper, increasing the lead back to eleven points and his teammates tacked on, putting the Blazers away for the win.
"I felt like the most important thing when I’m on the floor with the second unit is that we either sustain the lead or extend the lead," Derek said.
D-Fish noted that the ebb and flow of Thursday’s game was a good test for the Thunder as they prepare for the postseason.
"It’s extremely important, in particular on the road," Fisher said of combating opposing runs. "As we move through the end of the regular season and get into the playoffs, we’re going to face similar situations where we have a lead or we’re playing well, and the home team is always going to make a run, especially when you’re playing the better teams in the West. The way we responded tonight was a great sign."
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