Thunder vs Spurs: Pregame Primer

vs.

Thunder (41-30, 14-21 road) vs. Spurs (44-26, 26-8 home)

TV: ESPN
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 8:30 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 107.2 (11th), Spurs – 107.4 (10th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 104.1 (12th), Spurs – 102.7 (4th)

Both the Spurs and the Thunder are playing on the second night of a back-to-back — the Thunder got another win (now 7 out of 8) against the Lakers, while the Spurs fell to the Mavericks in Dallas.

Last night was another important victory for OKC has it heads towards securing a postseason berth, especially playing in San Antonio tonight. The Spurs are starting to look like the Spurs, now that Tony Parker is looking more and more like himself.

The continued evolution of Kawhi Leonard has given this Spurs team the midseason jump that we expected. The Spurs will go for their 11th win in the last 14 games, while the Thunder, led by Russell Westbrook have other plans.

3 Big Things

1. Defense

The defensive effort in last night’s win will be the downfall of the Thunder if it repeats itself tonight. There has to be a greater awareness and attention to detail out on the perimeter with no Serge Ibaka. If rotations are sharp against the Spurs’ ball movement then this team is going to give itself a good shot in the fourth quarter.

2. Russ

On christmas day Zero was absolutely insane. He couldn’t be stopped and Popovich even said as much. His effort and desire jumped off the screen. Obviously this Thunder team looks way different than the one on Dec. 25 and much of that is to the Thunder’s advantage. If Russ will continue to trust in Kanter it’s going to go a long way in establishing himself into this game. Kanter had 15 and 10 in the first quarter last night and will be facing Tiago Splitter tonight — points and rebounds are there for the taking.

3. Bench

The bench unit tonight is much better than the one that last faced this Spurs team. If D.J. can come out and win his matchup against Patty Mills and distribute the ball for open looks the Spurs could be in for a long night. This is also another game that Mitch McGary could shine in off the bench. His speed and motor alone will put him in great position to be effective.

Tuesday’s COTN: “Enes and Dennis Kanter for the next State Farm assisting twins commercial.” – @duhsweetness

Leave it to this guy to bring us out of a COTN slump. Nicely done.

Tip at 8:30 CT. Go Stay Safe.