Thunderous Intentions
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Thunder in the News: Hoping to complete a perfect road trip

By Tony Heim

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 4: Russell Westbrook #0 of the OKC Thunder stands during the national anthem prior to the game against the LA Clippers on January 4, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 4: Russell Westbrook #0 of the OKC Thunder stands during the national anthem prior to the game against the LA Clippers on January 4, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 3: Russell Westbrook #0 and Paul George #13 of the OKC Thunder high five during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA on January 3, 2018. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The OKC Thunder have the opportunity to complete a road trip sweep tonight – imagine saying that at the beginning of the season.

Russell Westbrook is back to playing like an MVP. The Thunder offense is playing at an elite level. Yet neither of those are the biggest indicator that Oklahoma City has turned it around. OKC started this season 2-10 on the road, failing to beat Sacramento, Dallas or Orlando in that time. Since then they’ve won six of their seven games away from the Peake, including their last three. A win tonight against the Phoenix Suns secures a perfect road trip to start 2018.

Will they do it? Let’s find out.

Offense isn’t improved because of more passing

It’s funny how that works. The Thunder have become a more fluid offensive unit since their six-game winning streak in December, yet that has nothing to do with more ball movement. Instead it’s because their offensive stars have finally settled into set roles. Fred Katz breaks down the numbers and personnel quotes for us in a piece that will only make you more pleased with their recent run.

"The Thunder have averaged 118.6 points per 100 possessions in nine games since Dec. 19, easily best in the NBA over that time. Yet, they’ve averaged just 240.8 passes per game, 24 a night fewer than they were tossing previously."

Rare one-on-one with Russell Westbrook

Raise your hand if you’ve ever read the transcript from a Russ interview. I see nobody with their hand in the air: point proven. Because of the rarity of the situation, I’m just going to let you click this link so you can get in the mind of the reigning League MVP.

"Just figuring it out. I think early on, I was just trying to figure it out, man."

Full preview to tonight’s contest

Finally, we’re giving you everything you need to know for tonight’s game. Oklahoma City should easily handle this Phoenix Suns team, but because of their instability this season we can’t assume anything. Thunderous Intentions’ staff writer Yaman Khaddaz ends his preview with a wise prediction – I’ll let you discover what he has to say.

"They have managed to let bottom feeders beat them simply because they didn’t care enough to show up to the game."

Next: Thunder should hurry up and sign Andrew Bogut

That’s it for today’s issue of Thunder in the News! Go to our home page for all of our great content, including a second preview that focuses more on the Phoenix Suns and a piece on Carmelo’s incredible potty mouth. That’s right – we cover it all here at Thunderous Intentions.

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