Thunder vs Wizards: Pregame Primer

vs.

Thunder (21-20, 9-13 road) vs. Wizards (29-13, 18-5 home)

TV: ESPN
Stream:  Click here
Radio:  WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 1300 AM The Buzz Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 105.1 (17th), Wizards – 106.0 (15th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 103.5 (9th), Wizards – 103.2 (8th)

That’s three in a row for the Thunder and would you look at that, this team is over .500 for the first time all season. Tonight the Thunder plays on the second night of a back-to-back in the nation’s capital against a very good Washington Wizards team.

The Wizards fell to the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Jan. 2 109-102. Kevin Durant led the way with 34 points and eight rebounds, Russell Westbrook put in 22 points and added six assists and played some great second-half defense on John Wall.

Tonight is different in one key area however: this time the Thunder is the team that has to worry about stopping Kevin Durant. He’s a Wizard now and Thunder fans are just going to have to acce… Oh wait, he still plays for Oklahoma City? Hmm, carry on.

3 Big Things

1. Wall vs. Russ. This one. This one is really good. They played each other very well in Oklahoma City and Russ seems to be playing some of his best ball of the season. With Durant back he seems to be playing a tad slower and letting sets develop for him. The offense almost looks fool proof with the way Russ has been patient and methodical getting the ball around.

Wall presents similar challenges. At 6’4 Wall sees over most defenders and his ability to make cross-court passes off the dribble has carved teams up the last two years. Controlling the tempo against a guard this fast will be a tall task for Russ having played last night.

2. Controlling the Paint. Washington’s starting frontcourt of Gortat and Nene are very rangy and quick. The crowd is going to be live tonight in Washington and one of the quickest ways to take the momentum out of the room is not allowing these two to get offensive boards and easy put backs after misses. The Thunder currently leads the league in rebounding (46.6 per game). Adams and Ibaka can put a huge stamp on this game tonight by playing fast and furious on both ends.

3. Bench Play. This needs to be OKC’s advantage. With Jackson, Morrow and Waiters all coming off the bench finding points shouldn’t be an issue. Getting stops, however, might be. On Jan. 2 Andre Miller came off the bench for 15 points in 19 minutes. Slowing down Miller, sharp-shooter Rasual Butler and sophomore Otto Porter Jr. will go a long way in getting a tough road win tonight.

Tuesday’s COTN: “First time over .500 this season…. on a Tuesday” – @d21

GOIN’ UP

Tip at 7:00 CT. Go Kevin he-still-plays-for-us Durant