10 Key Games on the Oklahoma City Thunder Schedule
By David Ramil
Oklahoma City at Memphis Grizzlies
DATE: Monday, November 16, 2015
TIME: 7 p.m. CST
BROADCAST INFO: FOX Sports – Oklahoma
LAST SEASON’S RECORD VS. OPPONENT: 1-3
This would’ve been a must-watch affair even if Matt Barnes hadn’t been traded to the Grizzlies earlier this summer. These two teams are familiar foes and both have their eyes set on the ultimate prize but have always managed to fall just short.
This early test will see some key matchups at several position: Westbrook vs. Mike Conley, Durant vs. Tony Allen, Serge Ibaka vs. Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol vs. Enes Kanter.
The fact that Barnes’ apparent hatred of Ibaka is part of the undercard is just an added bonus.
Games like this will have a “playoff atmosphere”. Unfortunately for OKC, this will be the second game of a back-to-back set (playing the previous night in Boston) and will be their third game in four nights. That kind of early wear-and-tear could have some long-term impact as far as health is concerned and it’ll be interesting to see how Donovan handles the bad blood between these two teams and playing time for his star players. The team’s depth (a definite strength this season) will really benefit the Thunder at this point.
WATCHABILITY FACTOR: 10 out of 10
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