Thunder vs Wizards: Pregame Primer
vs.
Wizards (22-9, 9-5 road) vs. Thunder (16-17, 9-7 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
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 105.2 (18th), Wizards – 105.7 (17th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.2 (8th), Wizards – 102.8 (4th)
The Thunder picked up its first OT win on Wednesday night (sources confirmed it was a good win), and looks to get back to .500 on the season. Oklahoma City was unable to get wins in the last two tries.
Tonight the Wizards come to town on the third game of a tough road trip — @HOU on Monday, @DAL on Tuesday, @OKC tonight and @SAS tomorrow night. Both Bradley Beal (sprained toe) and Nene (sprained ankle) participated in shootaround this morning and will play tonight. The Thunder’s injury report, once jam packed, is now down to just rookie Mitch McGary, as the Thunder look to down the one of the East’s top teams.
The Matchup
The Wizards attack starts with the speedy John Wall. Wall resembles Westbrook in a few ways: lightning fast from end to end, good defender, turns steals and turnovers into run outs. Wall has made the jump this year by learning how to play at different speeds, and becoming a deadly passer at 6’4. The four-year guard out of Kentucky comes in averaging 17.4 points and 10.3 assists per game.
His backcourt mate, Bradley Beal, has been a great fit to go with Wall. Beal is a long, talented wing defender and a deadly shooter from all over the floor. Beal comes in shooting 45 percent from the beyond the arc — second only to Rasual Butler (49 percent).
The starting unit, Wall-Beal-Pierce-Nene-Gortat, provides a lot speed, balance, and length. Russell Westbrook will have to have a sharp night finishing around the rim because this front line makes every drive tough with its physicality, foot speed and long arms. Gortat averages in double-figure rebounds to go with two blocks per game.
Kevin Durant came back from injury to have a monster night against the Suns with 44 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. The reaper was reaping, and boy was it good to see. I can’t remember the last time Durant looked that automatic from beyond the arc… oh wait, his last game against Golden State.
Tonight Paul Pierce will be marking KD and he’ll also see some of sharp shooter Rasual Butler. The matchup of the night is certainly Westbrook/Wall. These two guards have been explosive this year, and arguably the best point guards in their respective conferences. Nene has had his nights against the Thunder, many of which coming in his time as a Nugget. Ibaka will have to respect his midrange jumper and test his ankle going to the rim. And doesn’t Gortat seem like the perfect candidate to be Stone Cold’s next victim? Yea, I agree.
I was in the building on Saturday to watch Kris Humphries lead this Wizards team in scoring (18), and control the boards in his time on the floor against the Celtics — it was both amazing and uncomfortable. Between Nene, Gortat and Humphries they will give Oklahoma City a test on the boards. The Thunder currently rank 2nd in the league on the boards and will need another superior effort tonight.
Wednesday’s COTN: “I can’t believe he [Russ] got ejected for celebrating with his crowd…Unreal” -@CDNBallJunkie
#LETWESTBROOKBEWESTBROOK
Tip at 7:00 CT. Go .500 club.
