Tonight, in Mexico City, the Oklahoma City Thunder will face for the first time this season the Brooklyn Nets.
Oklahoma City is coming into tonight’s game on a three-game winning streak while the Nets, despite their 8-14 record, have won two of the past three games.
Keys to the Game
Attack the Paint – With 41.5 points per game, The Thunder rank only 21st in the league in points in the paint. However, in the past three games, Oklahoma City averaged to 54.0 points. Coindicitentaly the increased number coincided with three wins. Steven Adams is doing an amazing job near the rim, and his teammates (especially Anthony) are sacrificing in order to make this happen. The Thunder need to keep on playing this way also tonight, especially against an opponent without a solid rim protector.
Defensive Focus – The Nets can score. They are averaging 109.8 points per game which rank them 5th within all teams. Thunder’s defense, on the other hand, is one of the best in the league: 98.8 points allowed per game (3rd tied with the Jazz) and a defensive rating of 100.1 (2nd). Oklahoma City must stay focus, avoid to give the Nets confidence on offense and the Thunder will be alright.
Rhythm – Tonight, not only it will be important for the Thunder to attack the paint, but also to get shots in rhythm. In fact, in the past three games, the ball moved often and this allowed OKC to take better shots than the ones created out of isolation. The efficiency is still low, but the firepower and the skills are there. Baby steps in the right direction.
Injury Report
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Paul George – Calf Contusion (day to day)
- Jerami Grant – Hip Contusion (day to day)
Brooklyn Nets
- Jeremy Lin – Knee (Out for the season)
- D’Angelo Russell – Knee (Expected to be out until Jan 1st)
- Yakuba Ouattara – Leg (Game time decision)
Teams Stats
Oklahoma City Thunder
PPG 102.0 – OPP PTS 98.8
FG% 44.1 – 3PT% 33.9 – FT% 72.9
APG 21.0 – RPG 43.0 – TOV 15.5
Brooklyn Nets
PPG 109.8 – OPP PTS 112.3
FG% 44.5 – 3PT% 35.4 – FT% 73.4
APG 22.8 – RPG 45.6– TOV 15.9
Cover Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images
