Kings vs. Thunder: Pregame Primer
vs.
Sacramento Kings (13-38, 6-16 road) vs. OKC Thunder (34-19, 18-8 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 – 110.3 (6th), Kings– 103.1 (26th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 108.5 (17th), Kings – 107.9 (16th)
Pace: Thunder – 92.9 (12th), Kings – 93.9 (8th)
View from the enemy: Cowbell Kingdom
There’s going to be a sense of urgency tonight with the Thunder. I can just feel it. With the loss to the Warriors where they turned it over a hefty amount and gave up 20 offensive boards, Oklahoma City feels the pressing need to get back on the right track before they get a week off. You don’t want to carry a 1-3 mark into the All-Star break. Going 2-2 over the past week isn’t horrible and with the Kings coming in, there’s a chance to get things righted.
Sacramento coming in: After losing to the Thunder, the Kings bounced back with a nice win over Phoenix. They’ve lost five of six though.
THE MATCHUPS
Nothing has really changed since the Thunder played the Kings a few nights ago. So I’m going to mail it in a bit and basically just repeat what I said the other day.
As Tyreke Evans scores, so do the Kings. He’s their primary offensive threat and he’s been playing off the ball more. Thabo Sefolosha will get the early assignment, but honestly I kind of like Russell Westbrook and James Harden on him more because they’ve got the footspeed to cut off his dribble-drive.
DeMarcus Cousins (who will play tonight after the incident after the last Thunder game) has been playing much better of late and with him paired inside with Jason Thompson, plus Samuel Dalembert and Carl Landry, the Kings have a good inside presence. Which of course is a struggle for the Thunder, seeing what the Warriors did Sunday. The play of Serge Ibaka and Nick Collison will certainly be important and please let Jeff Green hit the glass.
Kevin Durant will have Omri Casspi on him mostly, which is a matchup that OKC has a big edge at. Donte Greene is also a candidate to see time on KD and is a player with length and athleticism that can at least contest shots.
Tip at 7:00 CT. Go Rebound.
