Thunder vs Suns: Pregame Primer

vs.

Thunder (41-32, 14-23 road) vs. Suns (38-35, 25-13 home)

TV: FS Oklahoma/NBA TV
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 – 107.2 (11th), Suns – 106.3 (13th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 104.7 (12th), Suns – 105.8 (18th)

Can we go home yet?

The Thunder are crushing life at Chesapeake Energy Arena but can’t seem to solve the struggles on the road. OKC is now 1-7 in their last 8 games away from home, and the lone win came against the Lakers.

The first loss in that stretch was on Feb. 26 in overtime against? you got it, Phoenix. The Thunder battled valiantly all second-half and forced OT before falling 117-113. Russell Westbrook ended with 39 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists. Unfortunately he also had one rolled ankle on the possession to force double OT… and so it goes.

Tonight it’s back to Phoenix where the Suns are desperate to gain ground in the playoff race. The Thunder will try and avoid a season-worst fifth straight road defeat tonight, as the Suns try and keep the flame burning at least a few more days.

3 Big Things

1. Pace

The Suns play a very up and down style of game. When they’re at their best it often resembles a track meet — playing at the second fastest pace in the league. OKC has allowed Phoenix to score 251 points and shoot 50.3 percent in a pair of overtime games since a 112-88 home win Dec. 14.

The Thunder thrive in the open floor as well, but turning the ball over and not finishing shots when the floor is unbalanced means automatic points for this team. Russ has to come out in far more command of the game than he did last night (six first half turnovers, nine for the game).

2. Defense

Hey! They played some!

Utah shot just 38.1 percent from the floor including 6-29 from beyond the arc. That’ll get it done on most nights, especially against a team that doesn’t defend as well as the Jazz (they’re good).

Brooks: “We’re going to have to do it again. Phoenix is an explosive team, They have a terrific point guard and they’ve got some good wing players that put tough matchups on you. The Morris twins are very talented”.

Uhh… yea… Markieff Morris? Dude’s a problem. He can score in so many ways, and seems to have this team’s number on that end. He’s averaged 19 points over their last 8 games and has totaled 54 points against OKC in the last two meetings.

3. Matching Intensity

The Suns are coming into the this game knowing they have to get the W.

“Tonight’s do or die,” said Jeff Hornacek pregame. Which means this Suns team is going to be playing with a spark and in front of a crowd that knows what’s at stake. The Thunder hold a 2 game lead over the Pelicans and a 3 game lead over the Suns, and can all but put the Suns to bed with a win here tonight, but it’s going to require this entire team playing with an edge for 48 minutes.

If the Thunder lays back at any point the Suns are capable of racing away with this one, which would make the push for the postseason that much tougher.

Saturday’s COTN: “Just his kiwis it’s all good” @Severmantke

Poor Steve. Direct hit.

Tip at 8:00 CT. Go Why Not?