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Game 70 Pregame Primer: Thunder (43-26) @ Suns (31-39)

Game 70 Pregame Primer: Thunder (43-26) @ Suns (31-39)

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ESPN preview

Tip-off:

1:30 PM @ HP Field House, ? Fox Sports OK

Projected starting lineups:

Oklahoma City Phoenix
PG: Chris Paul PG: Ricky Rubio
SG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander SG: Devin Booker
SF: Lu Dort SF: Mikal Bridges
PF: Danilo Gallinari PF: Cameron Johnson
C: Steven Adams C: Deandre Ayton

3 Big Things

  • The young guns: Last game against the Wizards Darius Bazley and Hamidou Diallo both had big games. With the uncertainty of some of Billy Donovan’s go-to lineups, due to injury, it will be imperative that the young guys step up. Especially on the back end of a back-to-back against a surging Suns team.
  • Load management: Coming into the game against the Suns, it will be interesting to see how Billy Donovan manages the older players minutes. Players like Chris Paul and Danilo Gallinari have to be in peak form with the playoffs right around the corner. Keep an eye on their minutes count headed into this one.
  • The center rotation: Steven Adams hasn’t played in two games, and Nerlens Noel missed the game against Washington. This forced Mike Muscala to start against the Wizards. If both centers are still unavailable for this matchup we will probably see some funky lineups with Diallo at the four again and extended Bazley minutes. Keep an eye on the rotations in this one

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