Pregame Primer: Thunder face Hawks in home opener

Game Info

NBA.com preview | Tip-off: 6:00 PM | Broadcast: Local/League Pass

3 Big Things

  • Shooting. The Thunder need to shoot better. I have no other offensive analysis than that, other than Chet needs more lift on his shot.
  • Slowing Trae Young. Mark Daigneualt says Oklahoma City isn't doing any advanced scheming yet. Still, these are heady defenders working within a scheme, and slowing the wily, bearded Trae Old (as more than a scorer) is the obvious key to stopping Atlanta.
  • Game 1 of sorts. OKC broke the ice with playoff experience at home and away last season. This is one of those "statement games" that only really matter until the next one on the schedule: will Oklahoma City look the part of an established juggernaut worthy of the praise flooding in from around the league, or do they still have some first-time jitters to push through?

Prediction

Atlanta will score 110 points, and the Thunder will score more.

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