Thunder vs Nuggets: Pregame Primer

Ryan Woods -

vs.

Thunder (26-25, 11-17) vs. Nuggets (19-32, 12-13 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 – 105.0 (16th), Nuggets  – 103.8 (22nd)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.5 (10th), Nuggets – 107.5 (22nd)

Another good win that’s overshadowed by some more injury news. Stone Cold Steve Adams will be out of the lineup for at least three weeks. Royce wrote in-depth about Brooks’ options and what Adams’ injury means here.

Tonight the Thunder is in Denver to take on the Nuggets for the third time this season, and the first time with either Russell Westbrook (Newly named Western Conference Player of the Week), or Kevin Durant. The first meeting was Oklahoma City’s first win of the season. The second? A seven-point loss at the Pepsi Center.

Kendrick Perkins scored 17 points and pulled down 5 rebounds in 19 minutes of action in the win against Denver back on Nov. 1, but just 3 points and 7 rebounds in the loss on Nov. 19.

Perkins will start in place of Adams tonight and will match up with rookie Jusuf Nurkic (who will be replacing Steven Adams in the Rookie Challenge). Andre Roberson remains in the starting unit.

3 Big Things

1. Tempo. The Nuggets (lost 12 of last 13 games) are in a free fall and Coach Brian Shaw doesn’t seem to have many answers, but if this Denver team does one thing well it’s getting points in transition. Westbrook will have to limit turnovers against speedy guard Ty Lawson. OKC’s small-ball units, however, will have extended minutes to run this Nuggets team out of its own gym.

2. The Bigs. With Adams out it opens up extended minutes for “The Bro” Mitch McGary and Nick Collison. For the next nine games (or so) The Bigs: Ibaka, Perkins, Collison and McGary will need to play well and at least make up for the production lost to Adams’ injury. Tonight will be a good first test with Nurkic and Kenneth Faried.

3. Reggie. How about the game from Jackson yesterday? Pretty impressive bounce back game after seemingly three months of mediocre, uninterested play. It was a great reminder that Jackson at his best has the ability to swing games for this team, and tonight is another night where he’s the best guard off of either bench. Time for Jackson to get things GOING.

Sunday’s COTN: “Is this Perk’s best game of the season?” – @Tvaddic

Tip at 8:00 CT. Go only Silverback.

Ryan Woods captains the Pregame Primer ship for DT. Follow him on twitter here.