Thunder vs Magic: Pregame Primer

vs.

Magic (15-35, 10-18 road) vs. Thunder (23-24, 13-7 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

The now “We’ve lost one wing and all communications with command” Thunder comes back home tonight after a loss at Madison Square, and a pretty demoralizing loss to a really, really deep Grizzlies team.

Orlando comes to the Peake tonight, and if you’re looking to feel better about this team after that first graph, maybe this will help.

This team has had success at home when at least one of its superstars plays. OKC is actually 10-2 in that scenario. Tonight the Thunder will have to do it without the services of Kevin Durant who will sit tonight nursing the sprain in his left big toe.

Toe injuries, while seemingly minuscule, can be very, what’s the word… nagging, and can lead to more substantial problems. The Thunder will need Durant in a lot games down the stretch, but at home against a reeling Orlando squad sounds like a good night to make sure that toe heals. And yes, I’m aware of the Knicks debacle from Wednesday. Big picture and otherwise, Durant needs to be 100 percent. Whether that’s for a playoff push and beyond, or making sure he’s right for the start of training camp in October, he needs to get healthy.

Orlando has lost eight in a row, two of its last 16 and Coach Jacque Vaughn’s seat couldn’t be any hotter. Even without Durant this game is very winnable.

3 Big Things.

1. Waiters. Dion will get the start tonight in place of Durant, as Perry Jones is also out with a sore ankle. For me, starting Perry in place of Durant will always be one of the more indefensible decisions of Brooks tenure. Waiters will give the starting unit another threat on the offensive end and someone to guard Orlando’s undersized backcourt. It’s not a perfect scenario, but at least you can come up with a valid reason for it in minutes as opposed to hours.

2. Turnovers. Orlando forced 20 turnovers in the meeting back on Jan. 18. They didn’t hurt the Thunder in the long run, but tonight with out KD it becomes a point of emphasis for Brooks. Elfrid Peyton and Victor Olidipo combine for 3.5 steals per game and are both great in transition. Maximizing possessions will be a priority tonight.

3. Pace. With Durant out, the Thunder may try and look for early offense in transition, especially if Westbrook and Waiters are getting into passing lanes and forcing turnovers. The best way to aid a stalling offense is turnovers and free throws and Orlando is ready to help in that regard. The Thunder turned the Magic over 20 times including 12 steals and shot 32 free throws.

Saturdays COTN: “There’s no stat for heart”

– Nancy Lieberman

omg,” –@Julius Wrek

Thunder Live was spinning all kinds of spin Wednesday.

Tip at 7:00 CT. Go win for playoff’s sake.

Ryan Woods captains the Pregame Primer ship for DT. Follow him on twitter here.