Thunder at Warriors: Pregame Primer

vs.

Ok. City Thunder (49-30, 23-16 road) at Golden State Warriors  (24-55, 17-22 home)

TV: FS Oklahoma (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27,  DirectTV 679,  UVerse 753)
Stream: Click  here
Radio: WWLS The  Sports  Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time:  8:00 CDT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 108.1 (13th),  Warriors –  108.0 (14th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 104.2  (8th), Warriors – 111.7  (29th)
Pace: Thunder – 93.0 (14th),  Warriors – 100.3 (1st)

View from the enemy: Warriors  World

It’s a good thing the Thunder remembered how to  play defense on Friday. Otherwise, I’d be a little anxious about this  one. You know, with playing the Warriors and everything. But here’s  something neat about this game: After winning 23 games last year and  losing 30 in just 34 games, the Thunder have a shot to win their 50th  this year. Mind. Blown.

However,  even with the Thunder being the superior team in darn every way, playing  at Golden State always is a little scary. The Warriors have shooters  that can get hot at any time, and most times, they play with no regard.  They shoot, they run and they can score in bunches.

Golden  State coming in: The Warriors played Friday against the Clippers  which wrapped up a four-game road trip. They’ve won five of their last  eight and are ?? at home.

Just like  the other two games, the Warriors have no one to guard Kevin Durant,  a light defensively at every position and don’t even have an interior  advantage. Nenad Krstic is questionable, but I’m not worried  about him playing or not. The Thunder’s inside group should handle the  Warrior front court of Anthony Tolliver, Ronny Turiaf and Chris  Hunter.

Corey Maggette plays hards and can score, Monta  Ellis can score, Steph Curry can score and Reggie  Williams has been great out of the D-League. Problem is, they just  don’t really defend. But that’s just the Warrior way I suppose. If the  Thunder bring their calling card defense and stays playing at that end  at a high level, I don’t think there should be much to worry about.

You  know what’s crazy? There are only three games left in the regular  season counting tonight. That kind of blows my mind. It’s been a long,  long season but at the same time it’s flown by. The best part is, we  don’t have to worry about appreciating these last few games, because  there are more to come after it’s finished. That’s fun to think about.

Tip  at 8:00 CDT. Go 50.