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Game 69 Pregame Primer: Thunder (42-26) vs. Wizards (24-45)

Game 69 Pregame Primer: Thunder (42-26) vs. Wizards (24-45)

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ESPN preview

Tip-off:

11:30 AM @ The Arena, ? Fox Sports OK

Projected starting lineups:

Oklahoma CityWashinton
PG: Chris PaulPG: Shabazz Napier
SG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander SG: Isaac Bonga
SF: Lu DortSF: Troy Brown Jr.
PF: Danilo Gallinari PF: Rui Hachimura
C: Steven AdamsC: Thomas Bryant

3 Big Things:

  • Small ball: According to Thunder officials, both Steven Adams and Nerlens Noel are out for this one. Oklahoma City is going to have to make up for an immense amount of size. They could do it with Mike Muscala— if he clears concussion protocol— but that remains a question.
  • Thomas Bryant: With this lack of size comes a challenge: how does the Thunder stop the Wizards 6’10 center Thomas Bryant? Bryant has great length and athleticism and, while defense isn’t his strong suit, he can still get it done against a small Thunder line up.
  • Reloading: Last game out was a rough one for the team. Memphis, who hadn’t won a bubble game coming into that matchup,  almost reminded the Thunder what expectations were like coming into the season. Someone on this team needs to step up and take this game away from a subpar Wizards squad.

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