First, we were like "YEAH!!!" but then we were like "NOOO!!!"

Adfsdfgfsgfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff (finally picks head off keyboard).

Dang. That really, really, really sucks. Big time. Kevin Durant hits an incredible shot -- an INCREDIBLE shot -- to put Oklahoma City up one with 2.7 to play. The Thunder actually may beat one of the best teams in the West. The Ford Center is ballistic. But Carmelo Anthony did what he's paid to do. And in the end the Nuggets did what we all thought they would do.

Not to be lost in the killer, heart-wrenching, wooden spoon to the nards, 122-120 defeat is how well OKC played. Not only did the Thunder push out to a 14-point cushion at one point, but after Denver did what we all knew they would do -- comeback -- the Thunder weathered the storm (pun intended) and stayed in the game. They got the stop they HAD TO HAVE and KD knocked down the shot. Durant had 33 points, nine boards, five assists, was 10-21 from the floor and 4-5 from three. Jeff Green played a perfect sidekick, chipping in 18. Russell Westbrook was effective, scoring 14 and dishing five assists. Desmond Mason and Damien Wilkins both finally played a little offense. And what the heck has gotten into Earl Watson? Are you actually trying to get me to like you?

I just hope the team can get over it. I hope they realize that they proved themselves in a big way tonight. Coming off a win, they played awesome for 48 full minutes, taking one of the best teams in the league to the edge. It will be tough for them to refocus and get back at it when they were so, so close to the biggest win of the year.

It's a weird thing to watch one team that's clearly over-matched battle a far more talented team to the limit. Anthony had 31, Chauncey Billups 24 and Nene 27. Every possession late, it just seemed it would take a miracle from the Thunder to stop the Nuggs.

Honestly, other than the obvious poor defense, there's nothing really to complain about. It sure would have been sweet to pick up win No. 5 and for it to be over a great team, but OKC played about as good as it could. The Thunder shot 58 percent from the floor. They hit free throws. They rebounded (relatively) well. They didn't turn it over an absurd amount. They just got beat by a better team.

There were some lost possessions late in the game where Jeff Green airmailed a pass into the eight row and Chris Wilcox inexplicably threw it away. Those would be nice to have back. But dang, I feel for the team. They wanted this one. They played so hard and so well. To come up empty-handed has to hurt. But this happens in the NBA. Happens a lot in fact. It just has to be forgotten as OKC prepares for a Tuesday night run against the Knicks. I think it's pretty clear right now: You better not come into the Ford Center and expect to roll the ball out, jog up and down the court and walk out with a win. It's just not happening anymore. This team will play you. And if you're not ready and focused, they'll beat you. I really feel that the Thunder could win every two out of five the rest of the way. Mentally, you can see they believe they can win. I think they're finally getting over the "Here we go again" mentality.

OKC tries to shake this one off against New York Tuesday night at the Ford Center. Good game Thunder. Nothing to hang your heads about.

Nuggets vs. Thunder: Pre-game view

vs.

Denver Nuggets (21-12) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (FOUR-29)
Friday, January 2
Ford Center
Oklahoma City, OK
7:00 CST

TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma (Cox 37, HD 722)
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM)

View from the other side: Roundball Mining Company

For just the fourth time this year, Oklahoma City will have a chance at a winning streak. And while it's a small chance as OKC takes on one of the West's best, it may actually be a better one than the previous three times.

What? Why? Am I crazy? Hello? Because against Golden State, the Thunder just looked different. For once, the veterans that were supposed to do something, did. Chris Wilcox had a huge game. Earl Watson was productive. Then Jeff Green and Kevin Durant made the tag-team combo they finally were supposed to. OKC executed and played like the team we expected to see all season. A team that was surely going to have its lapses and play some bad basketball in stretches, but would always be in the game and win a few here and there.

It's not like anyone is predicting a win tonight. It's just that after Wednesday's win, I think the mood and feel of the team is finally turning over. We're starting to get to the point where you could see OKC shocking anyone -- especially at home. The Thunder played the Cavs tight. They took Detroit to the wire on the road. I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that the Nuggets will walk over OKC. Now, let's not get this confused. I'm not saying OKC WILL win. I'm just saying it's no longer crazy to say the COULD.

And a win over Denver would be nice. In the Thunder four wins, the teams are a combined 38-91. The closest to .500 out of OKC's four victims is Memphis, who is 12 games under the line. But while a win isn't out of the question, the real goal is to continue to play sound basketball and just hand tough. This isn't like the game against the Warriors where hanging tough isn't enough -- this is the class of the West. Beating them is tough, for anyone.

I'm excited to see if Jeff Green can carry over and play another really productive game. Ever since the text messaging from Scott Brooks, he's averaging near nine boards a game. Kevin Durant is rebounding much better and is still scoring well. The difficult part for KD tonight will be holding Carmelo Anthony in check. But I hope to see Durant attack the rim like he did against Golden State and let the free jumpers just come to him.

The key is getting production from more than two spots and if that happens, OKC will be in the game late on the fourth. And when you're at home and you're close, anything can happen. Especially when you play the totally awesome Hoosiers slow-clap video like they have been the last few home games late in the fourth. I freaking love that.