76ers vs. Thunder: Pregame Primer

vs.

Philadelphia 76ers (2-5, 1-3 road) vs. OKC Thunder (3-2, 1-2 home)

TV: FSOK (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 753)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 103.9 (21st), Sixers – 104.5 (19th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 109.5 (23rd), Sixers – 104.2 (8th)
Pace: Thunder – 93.3 (17th), Sixers – 95.9 (11th)

View from the enemy: Philadunkia

Not many games are important to win in November, especially against a lower level team. But this one tonight, is important. It’s big. A loss here, and you might be able to worry some with my permission. The Thunder needs to really rise up and play like it means something tonight. They’ve had a few days to think about this one, so it’s time to show up.

Philadelphia coming in: The 76ers will be without Andre Iguodala in this one, so really there’s no excuse. The Sixers last played Sunday against the Knicks in New York.

Jeff Green is out for this one so Serge Ibaka is starting again. On the inside the 76ers are decently strong with Elton Brand and Spencer Hawes. They aren’t that deep though, so it’ll be key for Ibaka and Nenad Krstic to play strong minutes.

Andres Nocioni will be checking KD most likely so that should be a mis-match. Jrue Holliday and Russell Westbrook will be a fun head-to-head of former UCLA guards. Thabo should hold Evan Turner in check but at the same time, Turner is one of the Sixers relied upon scorers, so we’ll see.

For once this year, it would be nice to see something big out of James Harden, Eric Maynor or maybe even Cole Aldrich.The Sixer bench isn’t deep so this is somewhere OKC should hold an advantage.

The Sixers are a surprisingly solid defensive team, but struggle scoring. And with Iggy out, they’re going to suffer on both ends more than usual. This isn’t a must-win because there’s no such thing in November, but OKC needs this game.

Tip at 7:00 CT. Go Thunder Team.