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Preview: Thunder host Wizards to end short homestand

By Yams

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JANUARY 17: The OKC Thunder huddle before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 17, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JANUARY 17: The OKC Thunder huddle before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 17, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 20: Carmelo Anthony #7 and Russell Westbrook #0 of the OKC Thunder are seen during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 20, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Keys to Success

Build upon their last 27 games

The Thunder have truly found themselves since December the 1st, going 19-8. Oklahoma City’s offense has performed really well and the defense has been solid (although a bit worse than what it was before December 1st).

The Thunder have also won all fourteen games in which all five starters play. If they maintain that level of play that we’ve seen over the last eight weeks, then expect them to get a big win.

Protect the three-point line

The Wizards will put the Thunder’s defense to the test with their shooting. They are the sixth-best three-point shooting team in the NBA, shooting 37% from beyond the arc. The Thunder are pretty good at protecting the three point line, though. Teams have shot 35.4% on three-pointers against them, which is the 8th-worst mark in the NBA.

As long as the Thunder stop Bradley Beal, Kelly Oubre Jr, and Otto Porter Jr. from getting hot from 3, they should be able to go home as winners of six straight games.

Dominate the boards

The Thunder are 3rd in the NBA in rebounding percentage (52.4). The Wizards, on the other hand, have a rebounding percentage of 49.5, good for 18th in the NBA. Washington is also 20th in defensive rebounding percentage, so this means the Thunder have an easier job of getting offensive rebounds. But it’s not like they need any help with that.

Steven Adams averages 5.1 offensive rebounds/game, which is the most in the NBA. The Thunder average 12.4 offensive rebounds per game (most in the NBA) and have an offensive rebounding percentage of 28.1% (best in the NBA).

If the Thunder make the most of their second chances then they should be victorious.

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