Preview 42 of 82: Spurs @ Thunder
Time: 7:00 PM CST
TV: NBA TV & FSOK
After dropping three straight, the Oklahoma City Thunder (25-16) will look to snap their cold streak and avenge Thursday night’s loss in San Antonio when they face off with the Spurs (25-18) at Chesapeake Energy Arena tonight. The blazing hot Spurs, who are 10-3 in their last 13 outings, have vaulted to fifth in the Western Conference while the Thunder continue to hold steady in the No. 3 spot in the West.
Tip-off is at 7:00 PM CST and will be televised on TNT and Fox Sports Oklahoma. The Thunder are six-point home favorites according to Odds Shark.
Injury Report
Thunder
- Steven Adams: Active — Ankle
- Alex Abrines: Out — Personal
- Nerlens Noel: Out — Concussion
- Andre Roberson: Out — Knee
Spurs
- Rudy Gay: Out — Wrist
- Dejounte Murray: Out — Knee
Probable Starters
Spurs: Bryn Forbes, Derrick White, DeMar DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge, Pau Gasol
Stats
Advanced
| Team | ORTG | DRTG | NET RTG | PACE | PIE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAS | 112.4 | 109.3 | 3.1 | 98.93 | 52.4 |
| OKC | 108 | 102.9 | 5.1 | 103.75 | 52 |
Four Factors
| Team | EFG | FTA% | TO% | OREB% | OP EFG | OP FTA | OP TO | OP OREB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAS | 53.2 | 0.251 | 12.4 | 25.1 | 52.3 | 0.228 | 13.2 | 26.3 |
| OKC | 50.7 | 0.267 | 14.2 | 30.6 | 50.5 | 0.266 | 17.3 | 26.6 |
What to Watch For
Russ On A Roll. Despite the Thunder’s cold streak of late, Russell Westbrook has been on an absolute tear. Over the past four games, The Brodie is averaging 25.5 points and 15 assists, including a 24-point, 13-rebound, 24-assist (a career high) explosion against the Spurs on Thursday.
Still Shorthanded. Coach Billy Donovan will be without two of his key role players, Nerlens Noel (concussion) and Álex Abrines (illness), once again, leaving the bench much shorter than would be ideal. The Thunder lost the bench battle by a landslide in their matchup with the Spurs on Thursday — giving up 45 points to the Spurs reserves while scoring just 28 of their own. Abdel Nader has seen a significant bump in playing time recently; he and Dennis Schröder will need to bring some scoring punch off the pine if they hope to keep pace tonight.
Back At The Peake. The Oklahoma City Thunder are 13-6 when playing at Chesapeake Energy Arena this season. If they hope to get back on track, they’ll need solid performances all around and the backing of the home-court crowd to earn their first home win of 2019.
Slowing Aldridge Down. LaMarcus Aldridge poured in a career-high 56 points in Thursday’s 2OT thriller, and the absence of Nerlens Noel was taken advantage of by the 33-year old big man. When Steven Adams’ ankle ailment took him out of the game towards the end of regulation on Thursday, Aldridge went on to score eight straight points and force the game into overtime. The Thunder will need to make some defensive adjustments in order to compensate for Noel’s presence in the paint when Adams takes a breather.
Put On For The City. The Thunder will rock their fan-favorite ‘City’ edition jersey for the third time this season in tonight’s showdown.
