Thunder vs Bucks: Pregame Primer
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – President John F. Kennedy
Today we honor those who wore and continue to so valiantly wear the real uniforms. I’ve said in past primer’s “perspective rocks” and today is one of those days that makes you take a step back and appreciate the ones who make it possible for us to stress over things like stress fractures and knee contusions. Let’s remember the important things today.
To any of you who have taken up arms for this great nation, and to those who have passed doing so, I say from the bottom of my heart, ‘thank you’ — You the Realist MVP.
vs.
Thunder (2-5, 0-4 away) vs. Bucks (3-4, 2-1 home)
TV: FS Oklahoma
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CT
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 100.6 (24th), Bucks – 99.3 (28th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 107.8 (22nd), Bucks – 100.2 (4th)
The Thunder took care of business Sunday night against the Kings and gets the Milwaukee Bambis Bucks tonight on the road with both teams looking for back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
This Bucks team has trouble scoring (averaging just 94.7 ppg), but if there’s a ‘head of the snake’ player here, it’s Brandon Knight. Knight is averaging 17.6 ppg, 7.3 apg and 6.4 rpg, not too shabby. The Thunder counter with Reggie Jackson who comes in with averages of 20.0 ppg, 8.3 apg and 4.3 rpg. Winner of this matchup wins the game.
As of right now it is unclear whether or not he’ll be in the lineup but this would be a really nice matchup for Perry Jones. The Bucks have two players that stretch the floor at the 3/4 positions: Jabari Parker, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. If Jones can’t go, look for Lance Thomas to get some minutes guarding those two.
Perhaps the Thunder’s biggest weapon night after night is the unified intensity and aggression they came out of the gate with in both victories this season. The hustle plays, the loose balls, cleaning up the boards on both ends — these are the things that handcuff an opponent that struggles to score. Giving the Bucks just one look at the basket each time down the floor would spell a win for Oklahoma City.
Sunday’s COTN: “The happiest 2-5 team in the league!” @KetelOne
The rest of the league be like…
Look for tonight’s winner in Wednesday’s primer.
3 Big Things
1. Reggie. Another matchup for Reggie that he simply needs to win. The Thunder got plenty of good looks Sunday night — more of that RJ.
2. J-Lamb. What a start to his season eh? The more he plays, the more confidence he builds and that’s big time both now and down the road.
3. Rotations. The Bassy-Smith-Lance-Collison-Perk lineup just can’t score. Staggering Reggie and Lamb at the end of the first quarter and into the second could allow Brooks to bring Lamb back a little earlier to provide a scoring threat. Another solution? Get Morrow back. It sounds like Morrow, again, will be a game time decision.
Tip at 7:00 CT. Go Veterans.
