Thunder vs 76ers: Pregame Primer

Ryan Woods -

vs.

Thunder (5-13, 1-8 road) vs  76ers (1-17, 0-10 home)

TV: FS Oklahoma/NBATV
Stream:  Click here
Radio:  WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 6:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 100.0 (27th), Sixers – 93.2 (30th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 102.8 (7th), Sixers – 106.7 (18th)

Kevin Durant returned to the floor on Tuesday and, for the most part, looked like his normal – out of the ordinary – self. The Pelicans took advantage of some sloppy play with the ball (19 points off 17 Thunder TO’s) and a poor defensive effort from Oklahoma City handing out loss number 13.

Anthony Davis finished the night with 25 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, six steals and four steals.

let that line sink in.

At 21 years of age, Davis is becoming a force nearly five years away from his athletic prime. Whoa, boy.

For the Thunder, it’s on to Philly with all of its horses ready to go, including Perry Jones. For the first time all season, the Thunder has its full 15-man roster available for action.

The Matchup

Let’s call it like it is, the Sixers are not trying to win basketball games in 2014. The good news is that spells win number six for the Thunder if all goes according to script. The bad news — it’s hard to gauge these types of games on either end when the opponent is one of the worst teams ever to trot out on an NBA floor.

The Thunder can still come out with the energy and effort that it lacked on Tuesday and get some more rust off for Durant and Westbrook in doing so.

Philly’s rookie shooting guard, KJ McDaniels is a player to watch tonight. McDaniels was the second pick in the second round, and if you’re counting at home that’s three spots after Josh Heustis. McDaniels early this year has looked like a top 5 or 6 player from April’s loaded draft and becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Jeremy Lamb has been some kind of good over the last three games. You’ve seen the numbers — He’s shooting with confidence, getting to the rim and to the free-throw line, and using his length to be disruptive on the defensive end. With Jackson-Morrow-Lamb-PJIII/Collison-Perk, this bench has really started to take shape as one of the more potent second units in the league.

Note: Durant will once again be on a minutes restriction of 30, same as Tuesday. It’s still unclear how long he’ll be on one.

Tuesday’s COTN: “Rumble ate my homework” –@_Justin

Being out, man, you just gotta stay positive and try and be a good leader from the bench, but it’s great to be back on the floor with my teammates.

Tip at 6:00 CT. Go win #6.