Thunder at Nets: Pregame Primer

vs.

OKC Thunder (12-3, 6-2 road) at New Jersey Nets (4-11, 1-4 home)

TV: FS Oklahoma (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: 7:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 108.2 (1st), Nets–103.7 (11th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.4 (18th), Nets – 112.9 (30th)
Pace: Thunder – 92.6 (12th), Nets – 89.2 (26th)

View from the enemy: Nets Are Scorching

A horrific loss to the lowly Wizards, a couple days to stew on it and then a game against a bad New Jersey team? Yeah, I don’t see any reason the Thunder shouldn’t be ready for this one.

New Jersey coming in: The Nets are well rested too having played Wednesday, winning against Golden State.

Three Big Things

1. The newly paid Russell Westbrook. I don’t think anything changes for Westbrook now that he’s been paid, but still, this is the first game for him since signing a big extension with the Thunder. Maybe he’s a tad more comfortable and confident on the floor knowing he’s a max player that will be wearing Thunder colors for the next five-plus years.

2. Westbrook v. Williams. A premier point guard matchup and definitely the most critical of the game. Deron Williams has not played all that well this season, but he’s one of the very best at his craft and Westbrook needs to match him well.

3. Rebounding. It’s becoming more and more of an issue for the Thunder and though the Nets aren’t a great rebounding team, they are in the top 10 of the league averaging 12 offensive boards a game. Kris Humphries can be relentless on the glass so the Thunder bigs will need to be keyed in.

Tip at 6:00 CT. Go Rebound (double-meaning, you guys).