vs. 
Indiana Pacers (27-32, 10-18 road) vs. OKC Thunder (36-22, 20-9 home)
TV: FSOK (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 754)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CT
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 110.73(6th), Pacers– 105.0 (23rd)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 108.2 (16th), Pacers – 105.0 (11th)
Pace: Thunder – 92.9 (12th), Pacers – 94.6 (5th)
View from the enemy: Eight Points, Nine Seconds
Finally, a not excellent team plays the Thunder. A chance to get back on the winning side of things. And also a chance to officially meet one of the new guys, as Nazr Mohammed will start at center for Oklahoma City.
The Pacers though, aren’t bad. They’re currently an Eastern playoff team and under interim coach Frank Vogel, have found a new level of excitement and have scored at least 100 points in every game but one under him.
Indiana coming in: The Pacers have been playing well lately, winning last night against the Warriors. They’ve won six of their last 10.
THE MATCHUPS
Again, under Vogel, Indy’s players are finally producing again. Roy Hibbert is back to being a good inside force, Darren Collison is making plays and even Tyler Hansbrough has become a serviceable power forward.
But the Thunder matches up well pretty much across the board with the Pacers. Another night where it’d be cool to have Kendrick Perkins, but having Nazr Mohammed to defend Hibbert instead of Collison is a plus. And then of course having Serge Ibaka as part of that starting unit and a guy that’s going to get 30 minutes is big.
Danny Granger will be the focus of the Pacer offense, so the matchup between him and Kevin Durant will be a key. KD has struggled a bit the past two games, so getting on track again is important.
The Thunder really needs to win this game and it’s not going to be as easy as you might think. The Pacers are a team playing with confidence, but more importantly, for a purpose. OKC can’t afford to slip here and give the fanbase a big reason to freak out. Get back on track and with the next couple weeks being a bit lighter, the Thunder should have a chance to stock up on some wins.
Tip at 7:00 CT. Go Winning.
*Team lead in TS%
justin :James Harden putting up 17/g on 60%+ TS in the last five.
After tonight I think Harden will take the lead in TS% over Ibaka by a slim margin. I think the sky (Kevin Martin type numbers) is the limit for Harden. Plus I am loving the D. He has come a long ways since is zone days in AZ.
@CenOK
Sure those numbers would be fine, especially if accompanied by good shot defense.
I didn't intend to imply he has a big scoring responsibility; just be a solid contributor on both sides of the court with the things he can do.
Ibaka did fine tonight.
Even the locker room reporters picking up the "Nas" thing.
Have we heard of any more news about Durant's Ankle? The only info I got was "He sprained his Ankle and will not return" from Investigator Kelly Kraul.
Westbrook had a stretch like that last March too.
There is an easy reason this game but 4 of last 6 games Westbrook held below 30 minutes.
Thunderkid89 :@cenok
Funny guy. Huh???
No that's actually dead serious.
Nazr* hahaha
@Crow
Well I think 12 and 10 with 3-4 blocks a game would do it on a team with KD, Westbrook, and Harden. Not to mention that I don't see Perkins or Nazi putting up those numbers or playing those minutes at the 4 spot.
@clarkem
Too many turnovers... but yeah, it's nice to see him has a nice scoring game.
@Crow
I think that depends on a lot of other things. We could have some nice productivity on the wings with Westbrook / Harden / Durant.
for the record russ had 21 (7-11) 9 assists some rebounds and steals. Thats a good game
@cenok
Funny guy. Huh???
@CenOK
The starting PF spot is Ibaka's and it would take a lot to lose it. But the standards you'd want met in that job for a contender are pretty high.
@Thunderkid89
He rolled it
At least he was getting his and it wasn't over drinking tea or cussing.
@DavyTheWise
I mean I thought that was half the point of playing collegiate athletics.
@DavyTheWise
haha Jimmers going to explode. No wonder he plays with so much intensity
Thunderkid89 :
I missed the entire game just started watching the postgame. What happened to KDs ankle???? PLEASE tell me it’s not bad!!!
Out for the season :(
@CenOK
Lol especially if you are an athlete, i bet they have hidden cameras and shit... lol
I missed the entire game just started watching the postgame. What happened to KDs ankle???? PLEASE tell me it's not bad!!!
Damn good game overall. Able to relax and keep all my hair
@okc baby
imagine what he'll be like when he becomes a man!
@DavyTheWise
You're right. Which is why I would never attend BYU.
Jimmers a virgin
@Crow
Let's also not look past the fact that Ibaka just put up 7 points on 8 shots on a bad shooting night, along with 12 rebounds and 6 blocks, all in 28 minutes.
@CenOK
He should have picked a different school if he wanted to do that...
James Harden putting up 17/g on 60%+ TS in the last five.
Cpt. C-note :
Thor, PLEASE let KD be OK. PLEASE!
God of Thunder! OH nice name drop!
CenOK :
So the BYU player was kicked off the team for having sex with his girlfriend…
Funny story, I went to a Southern Baptist university. If you got caught having sex with a girl, you got kicked out. If you got caught having sex with a guy, you got counseling.
True story.
CenOK :
C_Dub :
Nazr
Perk
Durant
Harden
Westbrook
Scary lineup.
Is this a typo? Haha we are not starting Perkins at PF, that is a ridiculous idea.
I found a Boston quote from a few years back where Perkins said he'd like to play PF. Lots of big men say that, especially when they want shots and more money. They think they can dominate there. It probably won't happen any more for Perk. He got paid. He is a center. Mohammed at PF seems more realistic but still unlikely except in a pinch.
Keith :How soon will we hear about KD?
I'm guessing tomorrow.
So the BYU player was kicked off the team for having sex with his girlfriend...
How soon will we hear about KD?
Thor, PLEASE let KD be OK. PLEASE!
@Kris
We're pretty well ahead of NOLA that their winning doesn't really affect us. I would prefer they stay at the 5 seed though, as I think we match up with them better than other teams in round 1.
Wish we could change our victory song music. Celebrate is kinda lame =p
I can't stop smiling right now!
@CenOK
yeah, but i think russ will learn to slow it down and be really good. still so young
Tootie about things?
jocro :I haven’t seen Naz play before, but he’s showed up offensively. Is he normally able to hit the midrange?
He has a good shot inside of 18 feet or so. Not quite the range of Krstic, but he's consistent with it and is better IMO at shooting it facing up isolated.
@CenOK
No thats what i'm saying. He's only gonna be happy with a Giant market team with another superstar. I think if the nets can get dwight he will be happy...
@DavyTheWise
Yeah I agree. It was really more of a feeling of "imagine how good this team would be right now with a true point guard, who is still able to score and also a good outside shooter."
jocro :
I haven’t seen Naz play before, but he’s showed up offensively. Is he normally able to hit the midrange?
Yes.
Good deal, Suns and Hornets both lose.
justin :
When Aldrich runs back on defense he sticks his arms out like airplane flaps.
See. He is trying to copy Serge
@justin
A man that large moving that fast needs some way to slow his momentum.
I haven't seen Naz play before, but he's showed up offensively. Is he normally able to hit the midrange?
Got to check out for awhile. I'm know I'm being a little bit of a douche so sorry about that, though I'm slightly enjoying it. Enjoy the victory fellow Thunder fans