Thunder vs Cavaliers: Pregame Primer

vs.

Cavaliers (13-7, 6-3 road) vs. Thunder (8-13, 5-5 home)

TV: TNT
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 – 101.4 (26th), Cavs – 111.8 (4th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 102.4 (6th), Cavs – 106.1 (14th)

Hello, big one.

The Thunder, winners of 5 of its last 6, gets LeBron and the surging Cavaliers tonight. The Cavs come in on an eight-game winning streak thanks to a defense that has started to take form after a horrible start to the year. Whenever you matchup two of the most talented teams in the league there are so many story lines and matchups to dive into, so let’s get started.

Kyrie vs. Russ

(20 games) 2014 Kyrie: 20.8 ppg, 3.1 apg, 5.1 rpg

(7 games) 2014 Russ: 24.3 ppg, 6.6 apg, 5.3 rpg

Head-to-head Russ has struggled against Irving. In their 2013 meeting in Cleveland Kyrie went for 35 in a Cavs win, while Westbrook finished with 28 in the loss. In February, Kyrie tore the Thunder apart in OKC with a dazzling 31 and 9 in an impressive road win.

Kyrie has

the best handle in the game. He literally put Thabo Sefolosha on his belly the last time these two teams met and has no trouble finding his way to the rim no matter who’s guarding him. With Serge Ibaka likely to be guarding Kevin Love away from the rim, it’s going to be vital for Westbrook to be in full ‘Turn Up’ mode on the defensive end staying in front of Irving.

Russ’s advantage needs to come in the post, using his size against Irving and taking advantage of Cleveland’s lack of rim protection. He can overpower Irving on the block and did a nice job of that in their last duel. And this year, teams are exploiting Kevin Love and Kyrie in the pick-and-roll for easy points. Expect to see a lot of Ibaka screens for pick-and-pop opportunities.

KD vs. LBJ

(Relevant update: LeBron is out tonight with a sore knee.)

All eyes will be on these two. It’s the matchup of the best players on the planet, both unfortunately, not quite at 100 percent.

(20 games) 2014 LeBron: 24.8 ppg, 7.7 apg, 5.5 rpg.

(4 games) 2014 KD: 22.0 ppg, 4.0 apg, 5.5 rpg.

These two had their best moments against one another on the opposition’s floor last year. Kevin Durant got the best of LeBron on January 29, scoring 33 points to go with seven assists and five rebounds as the Thunder beat the Heat 112-95 in Miami.

The Heat spoiled Westbrook’s return on Feb. 20 as LeBron overwhelmed with 33 points. Not even a broken nose could stop him from burying the Thunder that night.

Going into tonight’s matchup, it’s hard to get a read on what to expect from both players. LeBron James is a game-time decision with soreness in his left knee, while KD is still trying to get comfortable on his surgically repaired foot.

If both are a ‘Go’ I’d give the nod to KD’s speed. James, by many’s admission has lost a bit of his athleticism over the last year, while Durant continues towards his athletic peak. LeBron is by no means a lesser player — putting up absurd numbers with brand new teammates — but Durant has a chance to keep closing the game between them with a win tonight.

Sidenote: Andre Roberson will be under the magnifying glass tonight as he’ll see time guarding James. He’s a longer, more athletic defender than Sefolosha was, and it’s time he shows his chops against the best.

Ibaka vs. Love

Real talk, Love has absolutely crushed Serge Ibaka in recent meetings with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Love’s array of moves on the block, and his craftiness as a screen-setter at the three-point line have thrown Ibaka fits.

Tonight Love will be playing many possessions stretching the floor, drawing Ibaka away from the paint. How the Thunder guards and rotates elsewhere will be key in slowing down this high-powered offense.

As noted earlier, Love has been horrific in pick-and-roll defense early this season. Oklahoma City can exploit this matchup in a way that they couldn’t against Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat. It will force LeBron and others to be on the move. The more the ball moves tonight, the more Ibaka can shine in the half-court.

Ibaka has been fantastic on the boards the last couple games, particularly on the offensive end. But the Cavs boast two of the best offensive rebounders in the league in Love and Tristan Thompson. Clearing the defensive glass against these two down low will be a key to who wins tonight.

Tuesday’s COTN: “I ain’t saying she’s a gold digger, but she did go to California in 1849 with mining equipment…” – @Johnny Thunder

Tip at 7:00. Go Kevin. Go Russ.