Game Day Preview: OKC Thunder vs Denver Nuggets, Game 82

OKC Thunder complete the season hosting the Denver Nuggets with the recent performances no doubt still on all the players minds. Preview breaks down the game.

Just this past Sunday (April 9th) the OKC Thunder registered their 46th win in Denver. Russell Westbrook also notched his record setting 42nd triple-double. He then proceeded to outscore the Nuggets 13-2 in the final 2:30 of the game, capping it with a dramatic 35 foot 3-point shot to win the game, simultaneously eliminating the Nuggets from the playoffs.

Both teams arrive in Oklahoma City having played and garnered road wins last night. Given the Nuggets are lottery bound and the Thunder are cemented as the sixth seed there isn’t much at stake for either team. That said, there are other narratives at play this evening. For the Nuggets no doubt they’ll want to exact some revenge on the team who ousted them from the post season.

MUST READ: Russell Westbrook: The Real MVP

For Russell Westbrook who had a rare game of rest although not confirmed it’s likely he’ll play this evening if only to allow the fans in attendance at Chesapeake Arena the opportunity to serenade him with MVP chants and congratulate him on his record setting season.

Of note, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will also be in attendance this evening.

Since the squads played this past Sunday I won’t reinvent the wheel regarding keys to winning. Chris Hughes provides an amazing break down in his pregame analysis from this past Sunday.

Related: Westbrook breaks Robertson single season triple-double record

https://twitter.com/otgbasketball/status/851209085575999490

Rotations:

It’s difficult to determine exactly who’ll suit up for either squad this evening. In Minnesota, the OKC Thunder won in spite of not having Westbrook, Gibson, McDermott and Roberson in the lineup. Should they play tonight odds are they’ll get limited minutes.

OKC Thunder Starters:

Point Guard:  *Russell Westbrook
Shooting Guard: Victor Oladipo
Small Forward: * Andre Roberson
Power Forward:  *Taj Gibson
Center:  Steven Adams

OKC Thunder Bench:

Point Guard: Norris Cole, Semaj Christon
Shooting Guard:  Doug McDermott
Small Forward: Jerami Grant, Kyle Singler,
Power Forward: Domantas Sabonis, Nick Collison
Center:  Enes Kanter

Notes: McDermott remains  game time decision

MUST READ: Westbrook clinches triple-double season average

Denver Nuggets Starters:

Point Guard: *(Emmanuel Mudiay), Jamal Murray
Shooting Guard: Gary Harris
Small Forward: Wilson Chandler
Power Forward: Nikola Jokic
Center:  Mason Plumlee

Denver Nuggets Bench:

Point Guard:
Shooting Guard: Malik Beasley
Small Forward: Mike Miller
Power Forward: Juan Hernangomez, Darrell Arthur
Center:

 Notes:

• Coach Mike Malone went with 9 players versus Dalls and odds are he’ll utilize no more than 11 tonight depending on the availability of Mudiay and Barton
• Kenneth Faried, Danilo Gallinari and Jameer Nelson have all been shut down for the season.
• Emmanuel Mudiay missed the game in Dallas due to an ankle sprain and remains a game time decision
• Will Barton (foot) is also a game time decision.

Game Specifics:

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Recent History: OKC Thunder hold the all-time record 20-14 over the Nuggets with an impressive current streak of nine consecutive wins versus Denver.

The Venue:  Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The Tip: 7:00 p.m. CT (8:00 p.m ET)

TV: FS Oklahoma HD

Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC / 930AM (ESP)

Referee Assignments: Monty McCutchen (13), Matt Boland (18) and  Josh Tiven (58) are the officiating crew tonight

The Line: The odds makers favor the OKC Thunder by 4.5 points with an over-under of 224.5

In Closing:

It’s doubtful Westbrook gets a ton of run tonight if he plays at all. Then again, given the numerous games he’s registered a triple-double in the first half perhaps he’ll go for number 43 in front of the home town fans.

Regardless of what the Thunder do tonight or in the post season this was a successful campaign. Looking back to July 4th not many pundits or fans thought the OKC Thunder would be a playoff team. Moreover, if I told you preseason Russell Westbrook would average a triple-double and break Oscar Robertson’s single season record of 41 triple-doubles, would you have believed me? The truth is there is proof on record as my cohort Tony Heim made our preseason predictions, and I said Russ would average the triple-double and win MVP. Here’s hoping the second part of that equation comes true.

Enjoy game 82 Thunder fans and bring on James Harden and the Rockets!