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Views from OKC: Thunder play rare “easy” January game

ByTony Heim|
Jan 9, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) celebrates during the first quarter of the game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) celebrates during the first quarter of the game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dances as New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) walks away during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Thunder defeated the Pelicans 121-110. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dances as New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) walks away during the second half of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Thunder defeated the Pelicans 121-110. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to Views from OKC, Thunderous Intentions’ daily roundup of the best OKC Thunder stories across the web.

New to Views? Glad to have you here, and I hope you’ll make this a daily destination. Well, let’s get started!

Anthony Davis expected to come back against OKC

“Davis, who sat out Monday’s victory over Cleveland because of a right thigh bruise, says he took part in five-on-five work on both the offensive and defensive ends during Tuesday’s practice. Davis says he feels ‘a lot better’ and says the only reason he would not play against the Thunder would be if his bruise acted up overnight.”

Is it weird to think this is good news for the Thunder? Oklahoma City has been killed by team’s without their best players: Indiana, Detroit and the Lakers have all beaten them. The Pelicans are coming off a win against the Cavaliers without Davis, so they are a confident bunch. New Orleans will be looking for their first win of the season against the Thunder…I just talked myself out of an OKC win.

Related Story: The Thunder could finish January better than expected

Oklahoma City remains a top hit in NBA merchandise

“The National Basketball Association (NBA) today announced that reigning Kia NBA MVP Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors remain in the top spots on the NBA’s Most Popular Jersey and Team Merchandise lists, respectively. Results are based on NBAStore.com sales from October 2016 through December 2016.”

This is a testament to Thunder Nation. We all know that Oklahoma City is the smallest market in the NBA. They aren’t going to contend for a championship for a couple years. But the Thunder have the seventh-most popular team merchandise this season. San Antonio is the only other “small market” team on the list, but they are also a top two team in the west. Good job Oklahoma/random Thunder fans across the world.

Views from Twitter

Steven Adams has already become a must-follow on Instagram for his wonderful posts of his teammates. I mean did you really expect anything else? I pray that Sam Presti figures a way to keep everyone in this photo. Well except Kyle Singler.

Now this is just fantastic. January was supposed to be the month where everything crashed for the Thunder, yet somehow they are only three games out of fourth place. With a back-to-back against the aforementioned Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks, OKC could make up more ground in the next couple of days.

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