Thunder vs. Wizards: Pregame Primer

vs.

Thunder (38-10, 18-7 road) vs. Wizards (22-23, 10-11 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 – 110.5 (3rd), Wizards – 103.7 (21st)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 102.1 (4th), Wizards – 104.4 (9th)
Pace: Thunder – 94.9 (9th), Wizards – 93.7 (17th)

For whatever reason, the trip to our nation’s capital is always an incredible challenge for the Thunder. Last season, the 26-7 Thunder visited the 4-28 Wizards, and lost 101-99 on a Bradley Beal game-winner. It’s a bit of a trend with the Thunder struggling in D.C., and with this being a back-to-back, maybe there’s a chance of issue tonight.

Also this part: The Wizards are pretty decent.

John Wall is an All-Star, Beal can be spectacular and their interior duo gives a lot of teams problems. Even if the Thunder play well, the Wizards are good enough to make this difficult.

Three Big Things

1. Brad Beal. That dude can ball. He can shoot, he can score off the dribble, and he can slash. He lit up the Thunder the last time these teams played, though Thabo Sefolosha is playing a lot better now, so maybe things won’t go as rough this time.

2. Serge Ibaka. He’s sitting on a made basket streak of 14, dating back to the Heat game. What can he take it to? If it goes anything over 16, I’d be impressed. That’s a bunch of consecutive shots to make.

3. KD. How does he bounce back from the shock and disappointment of scoring *only* 26 points? Can he shake it off?

Tip at 6:00 CT. Go 11.