Pacers vs. Thunder: Pregame Primer

vs.

Indiana Pacers (10-10, 5-7 road) vs. OKC Thunder (16-4, 10-2 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: 6:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 113.6 (1st), Pacers– 9982 (28th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.5 (10th), Pacers – 99.6 (2nd)
Pace: Thunder – 92.5 (12th), Pacers – 90.1 (28th)

View from the enemy: 8 Points, 9 Seconds

Can the train keep on a rollin’ tonight against the Pacers? The NBA season is so full of ebbs and flows, highs and lows. It’s just not possible for a team to be up every game, to be ready to play. That’s not meant to say a team can’t win on those nights — that’s what truly separates the average groups from the great ones.

What I’m saying is, this game has the feel of one the Thunder might come out a bit flat for. They were definitely up and ready for the Lakers and they’ve won seven straight now. Winning streaks don’t last forever and the longer they go, the harder it gets to keep winning.

But the Thunder are one of those few teams that can win when they’re not entirely keyed up. There’s so much talent and well, you can count on at least one Thunder player not being flat — Russell Westbrook. The Thunder really shouldn’t be giving these kind of games away, especially at home. It’s about taking care of business and maintaining that edge that makes them elite.

Indiana coming in: Lost to the Nuggets Friday.

Three Big Things

1. Offense v Defense. The top offense in the league against the second best defense. Yep.

2. Hibbo v Perk. Roy Hibbert has gotten off to an extremely disappointing start to his season. Not scoring, not rebound, really not defending. Perk is giving up a lot of height, but you know he’ll try and muscle Hibbert. Height isn’t always an issue for Perk as he’s defending the bigger Andrew Bynum with no issue in the past. One thing I’m pumped for: Thabeet v Hibbert. That’s a whole lot of tall.

3. Thunder v Thunder. I think this is one of those games the Thunder are really competing against themselves as much as anything else. Good energy, attention to detail and a solid start and the Thunder should be in good shape. The Pacers haven’t been as good as they were expected, but they still have a very solid roster and players like Paul George, George Hill and Gerald Green, all who can make explosive plays.

Tip at 6:00 CT. Go My Fantasy Football Team.