Bobcats vs. Thunder: Pregame Primer

vs.

Charlotte Bobcats (28-39, 11-23 road) vs. OKC Thunder (44-23, 23-9 home)

TV: FSOK (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 754)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 110.8 (6th), Bobcats– 102.8 (26th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 107.4 (16th), Bobcats – 106.8 (14th)
Pace: Thunder – 92.9 (12th), Bobcats – 90.0 (24th)

View from the enemy: Queen City Hoops

Potential for a letdown here? Maybe. The Bobcats aren’t good, don’t have any high profile players and the Thunder just notched a big win. But then again, this is the first time home in a week, Kendrick Perkins’ official introduction to Oklahoma City and this team typically doesn’t struggle getting up for teams. So this one comes down to execution and intensity on the defensive end, two things I don’t think they’ll have a bunch of trouble with.

Charlotte coming in: The Bobcats have won two of three, but prior to that had lost six straight. They last played Wednesday.

THE MATCHUPS
The Bobcats don’t have a bunch of weapons. They kind of try and get it done as a group behind Stephen Jackson, D.J. Augustin, Gerald Henderson and Boris Diaw. Jackson scores mostly with Henderson and Augustin adding some.

Between Diaw and Kwame Brown inside, the Bobcats are pretty weak. But look out for… D.J. White. He’s been a really productive player for Charlotte since the trade and has added a lot of punch offensively for them. He may actually deserve the starting spot over Diaw. He has to fight Tyrus Thomas (who has been really good) and Dante Cunningham for minutes but the Bobcats have some well-rounded player on the roster that can play.

Jackson can’t check Kevin Durant and Augustin won’t handle Russell Westbrook. I’m excited to once again see how Kendrick Perkins and Serge Ibaka impact the game inside though again, this is against a team without a strong front line. Still, I’m expecting solid defense tonight again.

The Bobcats aren’t that bad though and they still are playing for a playoff spot, coming in just a half game back. But with it at home, the Thunder should take care of business against Charlotte. This is the first of six at home so OKC needs to kick it off well.

Tip at 7:00 CT. Go Just Talked To The Fam Bam Off To The Arena Let’s Get It.