Thunder at Warriors: Pregame Primer
vs.
Ok. City Thunder (49-30, 23-16 road) at Golden State Warriors (24-55, 17-22 home)
TV: FS Oklahoma (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 753)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 8:00 CDT
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 108.1 (13th), Warriors – 108.0 (14th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 104.2 (8th), Warriors – 111.7 (29th)
Pace: Thunder – 93.0 (14th), Warriors – 100.3 (1st)
View from the enemy: Warriors World
It’s a good thing the Thunder remembered how to play defense on Friday. Otherwise, I’d be a little anxious about this one. You know, with playing the Warriors and everything. But here’s something neat about this game: After winning 23 games last year and losing 30 in just 34 games, the Thunder have a shot to win their 50th this year. Mind. Blown.
However, even with the Thunder being the superior team in darn every way, playing at Golden State always is a little scary. The Warriors have shooters that can get hot at any time, and most times, they play with no regard. They shoot, they run and they can score in bunches.
Golden State coming in: The Warriors played Friday against the Clippers which wrapped up a four-game road trip. They’ve won five of their last eight and are ?? at home.
THE MATCHUPS
Just like the other two games, the Warriors have no one to guard Kevin Durant, a light defensively at every position and don’t even have an interior advantage. Nenad Krstic is questionable, but I’m not worried about him playing or not. The Thunder’s inside group should handle the Warrior front court of Anthony Tolliver, Ronny Turiaf and Chris Hunter.
Corey Maggette plays hards and can score, Monta Ellis can score, Steph Curry can score and Reggie Williams has been great out of the D-League. Problem is, they just don’t really defend. But that’s just the Warrior way I suppose. If the Thunder bring their calling card defense and stays playing at that end at a high level, I don’t think there should be much to worry about.
You know what’s crazy? There are only three games left in the regular season counting tonight. That kind of blows my mind. It’s been a long, long season but at the same time it’s flown by. The best part is, we don’t have to worry about appreciating these last few games, because there are more to come after it’s finished. That’s fun to think about.
Tip at 8:00 CDT. Go 50.
