Thunder vs Pacers: Pregame Primer

vs.

Thunder (43-36, 15-24 road) vs. Pacers (36-43, 21-18 home)

TV: FS Oklahoma
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 5:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 107.4 (11th), Pacers – 103.5 (23rd)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 105.4 (15th), Pacers – 103.3 (8th)

The Thunder got a win on Friday and kept their playoff hopes (?) alive. Tonight is another pivotal leg in the race for 8th. The New Orleans Pelicans play in Houston tonight against a Rockets team that is also jockeying for playoff positioning. The Thunder play a winnable game in Indiana tonight against a Pacers team rejuvenated by the return of Paul George.

Of course the Thunder aren’t paying attention to the Pelicans. For Scott Brooks and crew, it’s about getting wins.

“We have to control ourselves and our games. The next focus is on Indiana. It’s not an easy place to play, they’ve been playing good basketball. We’ve got to go win.”

3 Big Things

1. Pacer Guards

C.J. Watson is out tonight with a sore right elbow. This is his fourth straight missed game due to the injury, and Coach Frank Vogel isn’t sure about a return in the regular season. Enter Rodney Stuckey.

Stuckey scored 24 on 10-17 shooting against his former team on Friday. The Pacers also recored 7.5 more assists than its season average.

NOTE: Paul George will play around 15 minutes tonight for Indiana.

George Hill has always been a favorable matchup for Westbrook. Russ is coming off a solid night against Sacramento with 27-10-5. He’ll need another big game tonight to keep OKC’s offense moving against a tough defense.

2. Kanter

Enes Kanter gave Westbrook a lot of help against the Kings, and was great on the glass. If the Thunder is going to grab this win Kanter will need to play a big role. Defensively he’ll face (most likely) Roy Hibbert, with Adams on West. Expect an early entrance for Collison if Adams can’t keep pace (didn’t mean to promise) with West.

Kanter has the foot speed around the rim to give Hibbert problems. Keep an eye on that matchup, it could set the tone for how the first half plays out. The Thunder could have a real advantage if Kanter can establish himself as a scorer for Russ.

3. C.J. Miles vs Anthony Morrow

This summer this was a thing. A real thing. The Thunder needed shooting and there were shooters to be had, and Presti seemed to have his eye on Miles. After Miles signed in Indiana the Thunder took their shopping cart and moved along eventually landing Anthony Morrow.

Morrow has been stuck on automatic for a few weeks now and tonight would be the perfect night to keep the train rolling against this team and the sharp shooter on the other bench.

Miles went for 24 points on 5-9 shooting from beyond the arc while Morrow went for 19 on 5-10 from distance.

Friday’s COTN: “My bad on the pregame primer. No excuses. It’s because Kevin Durant is injured.” – @RoyceYoung

1st time winner? Hold on the line, we’ll get you some Johnny’s.

Tip at 5:00 CT. Go 3 left.