Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic set to do battle
By Dean Turner
Game day preview analyzes the match between the Oklahoma City Thunder Orlando Magic in their 74th game of the season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are rolling into Wednesday night’s game against the Orlando Magic thanks to yet another cyborg performance from Russell Westbrook. Westbrook powered the Thunder over the Dallas Mavericks Monday night by way of his 37 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, and game-winner.
The Thunder will look to build off their win over the Mavericks in their aforementioned showdown against the Magic.
In order for the Thunder to pick up their second consecutive victory, they’ll need a few things to go right Wednesday night. Here they are:
Westbrook in uniform
Honestly, the Magic aren’t a very good basketball team. They currently sit at 27-47, which is good for 14th in the East standings. Correct, the only team they’re beating out in the East is the Brooklyn Nets who may be the worst run franchise in all of sports — apologies to the Cleveland Browns.
Related: 2017: The year Russell Westbrook saved the OKC Thunder and the NBA
In fairness the Magic showcase glimmers of what could be especially since the All-Star Break going 6-10. Prior to the loss in Toronto the Magic had won three of four. Granted those victories came against the Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers and reeling Detroit Pistons.
This means if Westbrook bothers to show up — 100 percent success rate on the season thus far — the Thunder’s odds of winning immediately jump to something like 98.9 percent.
Better shooting
Thunder players not named Russell Westbrook shot a combined 40 percent in Monday’s win against the Mavericks. They got away with it but that’s just not good enough on a nightly basis. Like I said before, the Magic stink but the Westbrook’s supporting cast is going to have to be a little better than that.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Steven Adams
Attack the paint
This is kind of another way of saying, “Play to your strengths.” The Thunder are not very good at shooting from distance. They currently boast a three-point percentage of just 32.8 percent on the season as a team.
The Magic, on the other hand, don’t exactly have Hakeem Olajuwon and Bill Russell waiting in the paint. Bismack Biyombo and Nikola Vucevic are okay defenders but they’re nothing special. Westbrook and his team of slashers should attack the lane relentlessly in an effort to expose the Magic’s defense, which is ranked 20th in points-per-game.
Those are the winning ingredients for the Thunder. If they throw them in a pot and stir it all up they’ll likely walk out of the Amway Center with a victory Wednesday night.
Notable:
It’s hard to believe the trade which sent Serge Ibaka to the Magic is all but gone (at least for the Magic). Orlando gave up Victor Oladipo, Ersan Ilyasova, and what became Domantas Sabonis via the 11th draft pick. Ilyasova was later moved to bring in Jerami Grant via a trade with Philly.
Consequently Ibaka is now in Toronto fitting in seamlessly with the Raptors; a comfort level he never found in Orlando. The move to trade Ibaka is GM Rob Hennigan essentially admitting the experiment didn’t work and allows Aaron Gordon to play from his natural position while adding a ‘Three and D’ specialist in Terrence Ross.
Rotations:
Presumed OKC Thunder Starters:
Point Guard: Russell Westbrook
Shooting Guard: Victor Oladipo
Small Forward: Andre Roberson
Power Forward: Taj Gibson
Center: Steven Adams
OKC Thunder Reserves:
Guards: Norris Cole, Semaj Christon
Wings: Doug McDermott, Alex Abrines, Jerami Grant, Kyle Singler
Bigs: Enes Kanter, Domantas Sabonis, Nick Collison
Notes: Josh Huestis is with the Oklahoma City Blues as they close out their final 2 games in the D-League. No injuries to report
Presumed Magic Starters:
Point Guard: Elfrid Payton
Shooting Guard: Evan Fournier
Small Forward: Terrence Ross
Power Forward: Aaron Gordon
Center: Nikola Vucevic
Magic Reserves:
Guards: D.J. Augustin, C.J. Watson
Wings: Mario Hezonja, Jodie Meeks, C.J. Wilcox. Damjan Rudez
Bigs: Bismack Biyombo, Stephen Zimmerman
Injury Notes: Jeff Green missed the Magic’s last game in Orlando due to back spasms and is listed as out via Rotoworld
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Game Specifics:
Recent History:
The Thunder hold the all-time record 11-6 (33-22 including Seattle Supersonics) , but the Magic won their last outing 119-117. Prior to this game the OKC Thunder had won nine of the previous ten meetings.
Fan Data:
The Venue: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
The Tip: 6:00 p.m. CT (7:00 p.m. ET)
TV: FS Oklahoma HD (Local) NBA TV (National)
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC / 930AM (ESP)
The Line:
The early line favors the OKC Thunder by 6 points with an over-under of 218 points.