Thunder vs Nuggets: Pregame Primer

vs.

Thunder (3-9, 1-6 road) vs. Nuggets (3-7, 1-3 home)

TV: FS Oklahoma
Stream:  Click here
Radio:  WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 8:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 97.4 (29th), Nuggets – 104.4 (20th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.4 (10th), Nuggets – 110.1 (24th)

The Thunder got its first win of the season against these Nuggets, but that was with Perry Jones and Andre Roberson. On the second night of a back-to-back the Thunder again are searching for consistent offense. Through the first 20 minutes of last night’s game the Thunder moved the ball well getting open look after open look until it all went south.

Reggie Jackson’s 10 points on 13 shots isn’t going to get it done. He looks to be passing up easy looks in the paint for a three-point shot for a teammate, and while you like to see the unselfish play, he’s got to take more than 13 shots.

Jeremy Lamb started the game well, hitting shots and moving the ball well, and then the shots stopped falling — at least until garbage time. He’ll need his best tonight against Aaron Afflalo, who’s gotten off to a slow start this year, but can light it up any given night.

In their last meeting Oklahoma City held Kenneth Faried and Timofey Mozgov to just 8 combined rebounds. Adams and Ibaka will again have their hands full holding Denver to just one possession at home.

Tuesday’s COTN: “Someone should Photoshop Robert Sacre into a potato sack so you’d have Robert Sacrace.” – @duhsweetness (second two-time winner)

This comment won because Robert Sacre is one of my favorite basketball things in the last decade, and because no one has made this photoshop dreamwork yet. If you’re looking to break into the COTN winner’s circle — this would do it.

3 Big Things

1. Serge. I’m all good with S3rg3, but not at the expense of his rebounding. Striking a balance on where he is on the floor would be a good look for number nine.

2. Stop Ball. The defense continues to look pretty good (aside from Exum’s first NBA “moment”), but tonight’s about slowing down a team that will look to run with speedy guard Ty Lawson.

3. Shooting. This is a make or miss league, and the Thunder really need to start tapping into that ‘making’ part a bit more, or this hole will become too deep to climb out of. Every single game, quarter and possession is so important right now that it feels like playoff basketball and we’re still a week from Thanksgiving. These are the games the Thunder HAVE to get.

Tip at 8:00 CT. Go early returns.