Today marks an even biggest test for the OKC Thunder – responding with another solid performance against a contender.
Can the Oklahoma City Thunder do it? Can they extend their winning streak to six games against one of the Eastern Conference’s best teams? We’ll learn a great deal about this Thunder team tonight – how they bounce back from one of their best performances of the year will be a testament to their progression as a team. Let’s get into the details.
Previewing tonight’s Thunder-Raptors matchup
This is going to be a great game. Although the Raptors lost last night to the Dallas Mavericks (ask my Co-Expert Tamberlyn Richardson about that one), they’re coming in playing some of the best basketball in the league. Both teams have solid defensive and offensive units; I’m expecting another close game that will come down to the final few possessions.
"All season long the focus in Oklahoma City has been on the offense, and when it will inevitably come around. Well, after yet another strong showing on Christmas Day against the Houston Rockets, it appears that that firepower has been found."
An interesting statistic with the offense
How about this for a Thunder team with no offense?
While we can’t expect the Thunder to post the #1 offense in the NBA the rest of the season, them maintaining a spot in the top five would be the sign of a legitimate championship contender.
Russ wins his first WCPOTW this season
And finally, we celebrate the recent success of Russell Westbrook. It’s no wonder that Oklahoma City has turned their season around precisely when Russ has. He’s finally playing naturally, not letting the outside pressures affect his game. Hence why he’s been the MVP of the NBA the past week.
"During this period the Thunder played four games winning each. Those included games against the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks as well as two versus the Utah Jazz."
That’s it for today’s issue of Thunder in the News. We’ve got all the content your heart desires over at our home page – check it out if you’ve got five minutes, five hours or five days to kill.