Thunder vs Suns: Pregame Primer
vs.
Thunder (32-25, 13-17 road) vs. Suns (30-28, 16-12 home)
TV: TNT
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 9:30 CT
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 105.9 (13th), Suns – 108.3 (8th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.0 (8th), Suns – 107.2 (21st)
Oklahoma City takes a season-high 7-game winning streak on the road tonight in Phoenix. That’s 9 0f 10 for OKC with the offense averaging 111.7 points over those 10 games despite Kevin Durant missing half of those.
The Suns have lost 8 of their last 10 games and are now a week removed from trading away Goran Dragic, Isaiah Thomas and Miles Plumlee. The Suns are trying to right the ship behind points and assists leader Eric Bledsoe while integrating point guard Brandon Knight.
Meanwhile, the Westbrook train rolls on. Russell recorded his third triple-double of the season and did it in just 28 minutes. While the Suns are plummeting since the deadline the Thunder now sit just 2 games back of the Spurs for 7th place in the West.
3 Big Things
1. House of Guards. Yes indeed, this is my way of reminding you that at midnight Season 3 of House of Cards will be on Netflix. Also, there’s a LOT of talented guards in tonight’s game including the league’s best. Russell Westbrook is ripping off the best stretch of his career and the additions of an offensive center and more potent wing players are only helping the cause.
Russ will do battle with Eric Bledsoe tonight in a matchup that he’s typically been very successful in. Russell has averaged 32.3 points on 54 percent shooting in his last four trips to Phoenix. In the last meeting between these two teams Westbrook was ejected before halftime after getting into it with Alex Len. He left the game after a lightning fast start with 20 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds.
2. Battle of the Bigs. The Suns have been one of the league’s worst rebounding teams with a minus 2.1 margin but are plus-33 over their last two games and recorded a league season-high 65 boards on Wednesday night against Denver. Alex Len has been big on the boards of late and will test the Thunder frontline tonight. Oklahoma City still sits atop the league in rebounding with 47.4 per game. Enes Kanter has averaged 10 boards per game in his three games with OKC, look for him to be active tonight matched up with Alex Len.
3. 3-point Shooting. Y’all, look at OKC shoot the rock! The Suns are 4-9 on the second night of back-to-backs and the are surrendering 39.4 percent to opponents beyond the arc. The Thunder is currently shooting 37.8 percent from deep during this seven-game run.
D.J. Augustin is doing a great job keeping the ball and bodies moving with the second unit. There’s something to be said about great shooters, but there’s also something to be said about NBA players taking open shots. The Thunder is getting a combination of both and it’s been a welcomed sight for Thunder fans. Anthony Morrow, D.J. Augustin, Kyle Singler (despite shooting poorly vs Indiana) and even Dion Waiters have all shown the ability to get hot from behind the line.
(Honorary) Tuesday’s COTN: “Who said I was?” – @KDTrey5
Y’all know.
Tip at 9:30. Go keep it movin’.
