vs. 
New York Knicks (6-5, 3-3 road) vs. OKC Thunder (10-2, 5-1 home)
TV: FS Oklahoma (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 – 109.4 (2nd), Knicks– 100.5 (21st)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 104.9 (24th), Knicks – 100.0 (8th)
Pace: Thunder – 91.4 (17th), Knicks – 93.7 (5th)
View from the enemy: Knickerblogger
So, the Thunder are catching some breaks. Not that they need them, but for the sixth consecutive games, the Thunder will be playing a team missing their best player. (Though I suppose it could be debatable whether or not Carmelo Anthony is New York’s best player.) Doesn’t take anything away in my mind — just the breaks of a season.
Also, the last time the Knicks came to Oklahoma City? This.
New York coming in: The Knicks last played Thursday losing in Memphis. Also, they stayed in the Skirvin last night.
Three Big Things
1. Attacking the paint. The Knicks aren’t a good defensive team but what they try and do well is defend the rim. That’s what Tyson Chandler is for. Russell Westbrook sometimes had issues navigating his way around Chandler in the postseason last May and that will likely be another focus in this game.
2. Let the Knicks be themselves. What do I mean? The Knicks can self-destruct if you let them. Iman Shumpert is a nice young rookie and Toney Douglas is a quality guard but those two aren’t equipped to run point and if you give them the chance will turn the ball over just by chucking dumb transition jumpers. If they get hot, that’s a problem, but don’t try and force the Knicks into any kind of specific slow-it-down, walk-it-up game. Let them do their thing and you do yours.
3. Start early. A hot start could bury the Knicks early. They’re without Melo, which in their heads, means they don’t have much of a shot. They just got pummeled by the Grizzlies and they aren’t playing very confidently. That’s not a bad team, but they aren’t the type of group that should walk into The Peake and take it to the Thunder with OKC rested.
Tip at 7:00 CT. Go Streak.
Rockets 1pt lead in OT
@OkcBaby i always root for the team with the worst record to keep space between the thunder and the rest, so go houston!
wow sacramento has only scored 30 points and its the 3rd quarter... glad we are us and not them
@RRRWHOAAAA sad. I remember how good they were from 2000-02. Great environment too, the old cowbells at Arco. I just hope we don't turn out like them. All good for a couple years and then.....mediocrity.
@C-Wil hey, my other teams are the pistons and the wizards, I know what its like to watch losing seasons for your whole life.... i take it maybe some people here dont, because the thunder is new to the city... its the reason I say trading westbrook is such a crazy idea.... when you have something that works, stick with it. it wasnt that long ago the wizards were a good team and gilbert was a top ten player in the league.... we gotta keep this going for as long as possible, until westbrook is as slow as derek fisher
@RRRWHOAAAA Eugh don't remind me. I grew up a Suns fan, watched them from the age of 7 all the way until the Thunder got here and even still, it look a LOT for this team to overtake PHX as my favorite team in sports. PHX has been above the league average franchise wins but there has been more than a share of bad years mixed in there too, and it looks like they're trending downward again. The Suns made some bad GM decisions and next thing you know they go from the WCF to a laughing stock in one season. Boneheaded trades like what PHX has done over the last couple years will do that to a team. That's why OKC should never even fathom trading Russ. Never ever.
Thunder up, see u at the recap!
When was the last time we had one of these! Oh yea! Go Thunder! #1 record baby
@OkcBaby Bulls have a better record overall
@RRRWHOAAAA Oh yea the did have a game:) #2 record baby! Thunder up!
@OkcBaby #1 in the west tho.... nice
gg
Uh oh. Reggie's hurt.
Gotta love the fact that OKC is now 11-2 despite the condensed schedule, and yet with these double-digit wins, with starters sitting out the 4th, none of the important guys should even be sore or tired.
do yal think philly has a better bench than us?
@RRRWHOAAAA Good question. Definitely a better back up PG in Williams.
@nomad and they have thad young off the bench too... id say with maynor we may have the edge but now i dunno...
@RRRWHOAAAA@nomad Dallas' bench scares me with Terry, Carter, and Odom.
MOV shrinking. Guess we won't get that coveted Hollinger trophy.
I just hate watching huge leads slowly dwindle
@John64 I'd rather watch that than to see one of our key players get hurt.
when was the last time we scored.
@C-Wil since right before harden left the game
@RRRWHOAAAA just 7 points in the qtr.
common lazar you can do it!
Not that it means anything big, but I like the way Aldrich always contests shots at the rim.
Reggie should get more asts if Nazr can make some shots
i kind of wish this game would end now so we could keep them under 80
Stretch ArmStrong is Jackson's dad.
@C-Wil hes armed to the teeth...always there when u need a hand
@RRRWHOAAAA hahaha stop it!! xD
Jackson has arms on his arms.
sweet, cole getting some minutes.
D'Antoni (looking down the bench): "Tebow! We need a miracle - get in there and bring us back!"
jackson is made out of arms
go go gadget Jackson arm
The ghost must have kept the Knicks up late last night.
@nomad I lol'd remembering the Craig Sager piece on that.
Reggie getting careless like a rookie in a blowout win...
D'Antoni: "Amare! You only need 2 more fouls for a triple-nickel...keep fouling Perkins!"
Sef and Harden on the floor at the same time.
Whats russ's line?
@PerkSmile 21 8 8 i think
@Lasers@PerkSmile looks like he's done for the game :(
@PerkSmile 21 8 8
there's the Serge I miss.
nother reb and dime for rw?
oh hey there iblocka
KD is lights out... im writing this like it's something suprising.
D'Antoni: "Alright guys, we're gonna kill 'em with this one - it's a 29-point play I used to run in Phoenix."