Thunderous Intentions
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Game Day Preview: OKC Thunder open season vs. friends and foes

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - SEPTEMBER 25: Paul George #13, head coach Billy Donovan, Russell Westbrook #0 and Carmelo Anthony #7 of the OKC Thunder pose for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Media Day on September 25, 2017 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - SEPTEMBER 25: Paul George #13, head coach Billy Donovan, Russell Westbrook #0 and Carmelo Anthony #7 of the OKC Thunder pose for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Media Day on September 25, 2017 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 10: Paul George #13 of the OKC Thunder reacts during the preseason game against the Denver Nuggets on October 10, 2017 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

History:

Last season OKC  won both contests versus the Knicks with now Thunder member Carmelo Anthony leading the way for New York.  In the first game Anthony scored 18 points, snagged 9 rebounds, adding 2 assists, a steal and a block. Game 2 Anthony led his squad with 30 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

At the Mecca Kristaps Porzingis produced a solid stat line of 21 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 5 blocks. The Zinger was less successful in OKC posting 11 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 blocks

Russell Westbrook recorded triple-doubles in spectacular fashion in both meetings last season. In the first he headed to the Mecca in jeopardy of dropping below his double digit rebound average. With pundits saying he was on the verge of losing his trip-dub season average he countered by grabbing 17 rebounds (plus 27 points, 14 assists, 2 steals). At the Peake his stat line read 38 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists, 3 steals and  1 block.

All-Time the Knicks own a slim 65-63 margin. Since moving to OKC from Seattle the Thunder have been dominant (12-5) and are 7-3 in the past ten.

Predicted Line-ups

OKC Thunder Starters:

Point Guard: Russell Westbrook
Shooting Guard: Andre Roberson
Small Forward: Paul George
Power Forward: Carmelo Anthony
Center:  *Steven Adams

OKC Thunder Bench:

Point Guard: *Raymond Felton , Daniel Hamilton (2-way)
Shooting Guard: Alex Abrines, Terrance Ferguson,
Small Forward: Jerami Grant, Josh Huestis
Power Forward:  Patrick Patterson, Nick Collison
Center: Dakari Johnson

Injury notes: as is typical of the Thunder they are keeping a tight lip on the status of Patrick Patterson (kee) and Raymond Felton (ankle). Both practiced full contact in the past two days with the team. Coach Billy Donovan says they’ll make a final decision after shoot around.

Notably, Kyle Singler and PJ Dozier are likely both inactive.

New York Knicks Starters:

Point Guard: Frank Ntilikina
Shooting Guard: Courtney Lee
Small Forward: Tim Hardaway Jr.
Power Forward: Kristaps Porzingis
Center: Willie Hernangomez

New York Knicks Bench:

Point Guard: Ramon Sessions, Jarrett Jack
Shooting Guard: Ron Baker, Damyean Dotson
Small Forward: Doug McDermott, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, Lance Thomas
Power Forward: Kyle O’Quinn, Michael Beasley
Center: Enes Kanter, Luke Kornet (2-way contract)

Injury notes: Joakim Noah is out serving a suspension for violating the anti-drug policy

Injury updates per Roto World and ESPN

Game Specifics:

The Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena

The Tip: 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM CT)

TV: TNT

Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC / 930AM (ESP)

The Odds: The Thunder are 12 point favorites, with an over-under of 213.5 points

Officials: James Capers, Nick Buchert, Tyler Ford

Check back with Thunderous Intentions after the contest for an overview of the highlights and player grades.  Tomorrow morning Tony Heim serves up his five takeaways and Gideon Lim provides the film breakdown from the match.

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