Pregame Primer: Thunder (9-2), Pelicans (3-8) in juiceless National TV matchup

Game Info

NBA.com preview | Tip-off: 6:30 PM | Broadcast: ESPN

Injuries suck. These aren't the real versions of either team, and being an early national broadcast disappointment rubs that in. This should have been a juicy match-up, but it's lost most of its luster without a handful of the best Oklahoma City (injury report: bad) and New Orleans (injury report: even worse) players available.

OKC is still fun. We've enjoyed rooting for worse, less exciting Thunder underdogs in the very recent past. The upcoming games will likely become high scoring and close, a (hopefully) short, stressful, and even fun chapter in this Thunder era.

How real is the depth? Stacked injuries are tough to overcome, but the Thunder are hanging on despite the slow, painful bottoming out of their 6'7 and above center rotation. Mark Daigneault has coached with unshaken confidence in the depth that has marked the team from Game 1: playing Dillon Jones and Ajay Mitchell consistently, and holding down the minutes per night for some of the most consistent, beautiful guards. Alternatively, he's just been resigned to the fact that a shortened rotation of all-6'6 guys wouldn't make a huge competitive difference. guards.

A 50-burger for Shai and another barn-burner at home. OKC 146 NOP 132

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