Raptors vs. Thunder: Pregame Primer

vs.

Toronto Raptors (20-36, 9-18 road) vs. OKC Thunder (40-15, 23-5 home)

TV: FS OK (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 – 109.9 (1st), Raptors– 106.1 (8th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.2 (12th), Raptors – 102.9 (9th)
Pace: Thunder – 93.0 (6th), Raptors – 90.6 (19th)

View from the enemy: Raptors Republic

Nothing cures a little three-game losing streak like a home game against the Raptors. Except at this point, I don’t think it would be at all wise to take this one for granted. Each win is precious right now with the Thunder actually looking up to the Spurs in the West. The Thunder have already lost this game before — at Washington, at Sacramento, home against the Rockets and Cavs — but doing it now would be extremely painful. Get up, play with energy and effort and dispose of the Raps and get ready for the next one.

You can’t completely underestimate the Raps either. They’re 5-5 in their last 10 and aren’t just a completely helpless squad. Duane Casey has them playing hard to the finish line, competing on the defensive end.

Toronto coming in: The Raptors played against Cleveland Friday and lost.

Three Big Things

1. Win.

2. Don’t lose.

3. Win.

Tip at 6:00 CT. Go Win.