Thunder vs Warriors: Pregame Primer
vs.
Warriors (9-2, 4-2 road) vs. Thunder (3-11, 2-4 home)
TV: FS Oklahoma
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 6:00 CT
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 99.2 (29th), Warriors – 108.5 (9th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 105.1 (12th), Warriors – 97.9 (2nd)
In the wake of another loss Thunder fans got welcome news that Durant and Westbrook went through the non-contact portions of practice on Saturday as they both move closer and closer to returning from their respective injuries. And this news may have to serve as comfort once again as the Thunder face one of the most complete teams in basketball — the Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors come in at 9-2 and are holding down 2nd place in this brutal Western Conference. In his first year as head coach Steve Kerr as already made Warriors’ front office look really good for their decision to part ways with MJax. Kerr has unleashed Steph Curry and this offense like a Katniss Everdeen exploding arrow. The Thunder — how can I say this nicely — has its hands full tonight.
3 Big Things
1. Splash Brothers. Steph Curry is playing like an early MVP candidate through the first 11 games of his season averaging 23.3 ppg, 7.9 apg and 5.5 rpg on 56 percent shooting. He’s profoundly good at basketball-ing. His splashmate, Klay Thompson, is headed for a career year averaging 22 points per game on 46 percent shooting from the 3-point line.
This is a good test for Andre Roberson, who will probably see time on both players. Let’s say these two teams meet down the road, Roberson will be called upon for some stifling defense on Thompson. That ankle will get tested with Klay running off of so many screens. Keep an eye on Robes’ ability to use his length against this backcourt.
2. Small Ball. The Warriors start ‘Small’ with Draymond Green (my spirit animal) at the power forward position next to Andrew Bogut. I’m intrigued to watch Ibaka chase Green around the floor and to see if he can stay affective defensively away from the basket.
Jackson-Morrow-Lamb-Robes-Ibaka could get some run tonight against Curry-Thompson-Iggy/Barnes-Green-Bogut. Brooks obviously would rather dictate the matchups himself, but he his best bet might be matching Kerr’s initial moves.
3. Ball Movement. The ball continues to stick for extended stretches of games and it’s just a killer in so many ways. The Warriors have the 2nd best defensive rating in the league and will eat up 1-v-1 offense with relative ease. The ball movement in the first half vs Brooklyn is exactly what Brooks and his staff are looking for — tons of energy, attacking every open space and getting to every loose ball. More of that.
Friday’s COTN: “If Sebastian Telfair was a sandwich he’d be a philly cheesesteak made with textured vegetable protein instead of meat.” @_Justin
I don’t know what this means and, frankly, I don’t need to.
Tip at 6:00 CT. Go do your best.
