Thunder vs Hawks: Pregame Primer
vs.
Hawks (53-15, 23-11 road) vs. Thunder (38-30, 24-9 home)
TV: FS Oklahoma
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CT
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 106.9 (11th), Hawks – 108.8 (6th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 104.2 (11th), Hawks – 102.7 (6th)
Kevin Durant (now out indefinitely), Serge Ibaka and Enes Kanter aren’t walking through that door. It was announced today by GM Sam Presti that Kevin Durant is out indefinitely, and it could mean for the rest of the season. Whether that’s 14 more games or more than that will be determined by the remaining Thunder roster led by Russell Westbrook.
Tonight the Thunder host the Hawks who finish up a six-game road trip against the West. The Thunder kicked off a four-game homestand with a victory over Boston on Wednesday night. OKC plays eight of its remaining 14 games at home and got some help from PHX last night as they took down the Anthony Davis-less Pelicans. Home has been kind to the Thunder this year as they’re 17-2 dating back to Dec. 26. That record is tied with Atlanta for the league’s second-best home mark over that time.
“It’s very important during this home stretch that we take advantage of it,” Westbrook said. “We can’t let anybody come in here and get wins on our floor.”
3 Big Things
1. Mitch McGary
Rookie Mitch McGary will start tonight in place of Enes Kanter. So tonight’s starters: Westbrook – Waiters – Roberson – McGary – Adams.
He’ll face on of the finest PF’s in the league in Paul Millsap. Millsap is averaging 22 points and 10 rebounds in his last three meetings against Oklahoma City. McGary is a much better defensive option against Millsap than Kanter because of his foot speed and energy on the defensive end. How that will translate on the floor will be extremely important to the opening minutes of this game.
He’ll play beside Adams who’s averaging 14 points and 10 rebounds over his last three games. The Hawks’ bigs can space the floor, so these two will have to communicate with each other and with their guards in P/R situations.
2. 3-Point Shooting
The Hawks are without one of the best shooters in the world, and one of the focal points of their offense in Kyle Korver tonight (Thabo Sefalosha and Mike Scott are also out tonight). But that doesn’t mean the Hawks don’t still have lethal options from beyond the arc. Demare Carroll has been great against the Thunder recently and comes in shooting 40 percent from deep — Paul Millsap, 36 percent.
For the Thunder, Anthony Morrow is shooting almost 55 percent over his last five games. A lot of his success is thanks to OKC hitting the offensive glass and finding Morrow for kickouts. Look for Adams and McGary to be active tonight looking for their marksman on second-chance looks.
3. Westbrook
The Russell Westbrook train rolls on as he tries to build off of a 36-10-5-5 game against the Celtics on Wednesday (so much for the defensive skills of Avery Bradley and Marcus Smart). He’s averaged 33.6 points, 10.5 rebounds and 10.3 assists in his last 11 games with six (!!!) triple-doubles. That level of play has to continue with Durant now sidelined until further notice. If Westbrook can open up the game trusting and finding McGary and Adams it could open up a lot of space for shooters and driving lanes as the game progresses.
He’ll also be guarding Jeff Teague, a testy point guard with a high IQ on both ends of the floor. Much of Atlanta’s offense is found in Teague getting into the lane, giving Russ a challenge and responsibility to lock in on D.
Wednesday’s COTN: “I’m not saying anything but if we win the title this year we’ll get like 10 documentaries” – @Alaska
What if I told you…
Tip at 7:00 CT. Go happier times.
