Thunder vs Nuggets: Pregame Primer

vs.

Nuggets (20-34, 8-20 road) vs. Thunder (30-25, 17-8 home)

TV: FS Oklahoma
Stream:  Click here
Radio:  WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 6:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 105.5 (15th), Nuggets  – 104.0 (21st)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.3 (8th), Nuggets – 107.6 (24th)

The Thunder, playing without Durant last night in Charlotte won their fifth-straight game, and 7 out of 8 behind another massive effort from Russell Westbrook. OKC was also integrating three newly acquired players into their system. Enes Kanter, Kyle Singler and D.J. Augustin all played their respective roles beautifully considering it was the first time on the floor with Russ and the gang.

There is no “good time” to have Durant miss games, but it does help that 48 hours ago the Thunder made moves to become the 2nd deepest team in the NBA (the answer to your question is Golden State). With so much depth and reliable scoring options the Thunder should still be able to keep things moving towards the playoffs by taking advantage of some lesser opponents while Durant is out.

3 Big Things

1. Rebounding. For the first time since Nov. 2012 the Thunder had three players pull down double-digit rebounds. The Thunder goes into tonight’s game having outrebounded opponents 121-80 the past two games.

Kanter (13), Ibaka (12) and McGary (10) are going to be a handful for opposing front lines to keep off the glass. We need a nickname for this trio if they’re going to keep this up — I’ll leave that up to y’all.

2. 3-Point Shooting. Singler will start again tonight in Durant’s place, something to expect until he’s back. Singler went 2-4 from 3 last night in Charlotte and is shooting right at 40 percent for the season. If you’ve come around here much this year you’ve heard me stress range shooting for the Thunder has its number one on-court problem (far exceeding the lack of a post presence).

The additions of Singler, Augustin and Novak to go with Anthony Morrow this team finally has wing players that can space the floor and hit open 3’s. You know who’s immune to hitting open 3’s? Dion Waiters.

With Westbrook living in the lane it’s important that the player in the strong-side corner can shoot as well as his swingman. Put Singler in the corner (42 percent from both corners this year) and Morrow as the swing man and you’ll have coaches dropping their heads and crumpling up stat sheets before the ball leaves their hands.

3. Serge. Royce touched on this in the recap last night — when Ibaka is an 18-10 guy he becomes a game-changer for this team. Whether that comes from the three-point line or closer to the basket an involved and active Serge Ibaka makes this team darn near untouchable.

Coming off his first 20-20 game on Thursday, Ibaka followed up with a 16-12 game with 3 blocks. More of that, 9.

Saturday’s COTN: “Reggie jackson trade? More like the DJ AUGUSTIN TRADE. AMIRITE?” – @King of Carrot Flowers the KA KAW

AYEEEEEE

Tip at 6:00 CT. Go *screw the Nuggets.