2 min read

Thunder vs Warriors: Pregame Primer

Thunder vs Warriors: Pregame Primer
okc-thunder

vs.

gs warriors

Thunder (12-13, 5-8 road) vs. Warriors (21-3, 8-1 home)

TV: TNT/FS Oklahoma
Stream:  Click here
Radio:  WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 9:30 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 103.2 (23th), Warriors – 108.8 (9th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 101.2 (3rd), Warriors – 98.6 (1st)

Hello, big one.

Since the return of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, the Thunder has faced some sub-par teams, but tonight the Thunder gets the Golden State Warriors, who boast the best record in the league and an MVP candidate in Steph Curry.


The Matchup

Two of the top three guards this season, Russell Westbrook and Steph Curry square off in a battle of Western Conference thoroughbreds. Steph has been absolutely amazing so far this season. He and Klay Thompson are arguably the two best shooters in basketball. Russ and Robes have their work cut out for them on the defensive end, but if they can be affective on that end things can go south for Golden State’s offense quickly.

On the other end it will be interesting to see how Golden State decides to defend Westbrook. Curry will most likely start out on Roberson putting Thompson on Russ. Draymond Green will start at power forward meaning Serge Ibaka will have to get out and defend some on the perimeter.

One advantage the Thunder has tonight is the absence of Warriors’ Center Andrew Bogut. Bogut will miss the next couple of weeks with continued knee problems. Festus Ezeli will start in his place and will matchup with Steven Adams. This is an opportunity for Adams to dominate the paint and play as an affective help defender when Curry and others get in the lane.

These two teams had some of the best games of the year last season, and we shouldn’t expect anything less this year. Keep an eye on OKC’s rotation as Durant’s minutes remain restricted in the mid-30’s. He’ll matchup with Harrison Barnes and Andre Iguodala tonight, both of which present different and similar challenges. Barnes has proven to be a solid three-point shooter, while Iggy can do a bit of everything including pass very well.

Tonight will take a total team effort from the jump to take this crowd out of the game and to be affective against such an explosive offense. With out Bogut inside for Golden State, look for OKC to try and penetrate the defense and get to the rim early and often.

Oh, and there’s PerkvsSpeights II. Should be a dandy folks.


Tuesday’s COTN: “Announcers must get $50 dollars every time they mention the replay center in secaucus new jersey” -@Alaska

This has been a HUGE pet peeve of mine so far this season, thus… winner, winner.

Tip at 9:30 CT. Go Eight Straight.