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Game Preview: OKC Thunder hit the road to take on the Brooklyn Nets

By Lawrence George

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - NOVEMBER 24: Russell Westbrook #0 of the OKC Thunder celebrates before the game against the Detroit Pistons on November 24, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - NOVEMBER 24: Russell Westbrook #0 of the OKC Thunder celebrates before the game against the Detroit Pistons on November 24, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – DECEMBER 6: DeMarre Carroll
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – DECEMBER 6: DeMarre Carroll /

Guarding the three-point line

Brooklyn attempt the second most three pointers in the league (34) but are 24th in three-point percentage (35.3). Oklahoma City are 14th in league in three point attempts (30) but convert a poultry 33.9 percent (28th).

With the Nets likely to launch away from deep, it is imperative OKC stay alert on the perimeter and force Brooklyn to drive. The Thunder are ninth in the league in opponent three-point percentage (35.7) and will need to bring that focus to Mexico City. Brooklyn allow teams to shoot 36.7 percent (19th) therefore OKC will have plenty of open looks.

Lock down defensively:

There are a number of players on the Nets who are more talented than the Nets 9-14 record belies. In fact on any given night a different Net can beat you. When D’Angelo Russell went down Spencer Dinwiddie wasted precious little time jumping in to take over the role and excel in doing so. DeMarre Carroll is reborn in Brooklyn after struggling for two consecutive seasons in Toronto.

A number of Nets players offer grit via Trevor Booker, Quincy Acy and the emergence of Rondae Hollis Jefferson. Bottom line OKC will need a solid defensive effort from everyone in order to not let any one Brooklyn player have a huge game.

OKC Thunder can’t beat themselves:

As per above the Brooklyn Nets cannot be simply grouped into the category of lottery bound. This team will compete for the full 48 minutes and won’t give up until the final buzzer sounds.

OKC can’t afford to dial in their effort offensive and hope to catch up because any glimmer of light the Nets see they’ll grasp and light up the Thunder.  In essence this is a road game for both teams and the Nets boast a better road record (5-8) than the Thunder (2-9).

This is the perfect game for OKC to build upon the momentum gained in the 3-game win streak.  The Nets allow the second most points in the Association so the goal should be a solid effort on defense while ironing out more kinks on offense.

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