Thunderous Intentions
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Preview: Thunder look to overthrow Kings in first game back

By Wil Harrington

OKC Thunder, Russell Westbrook (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OKC Thunder, Russell Westbrook (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – JANUARY 15: OKC Thunder Guard Russell Westbrook (0) making a move towards the basket while Sacramento Kings Guard De’Aaron Fox (5) plays defense at Chesapeake Energy Arena Oklahoma City, OK (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – JANUARY 15: OKC Thunder Guard Russell Westbrook (0) making a move towards the basket while Sacramento Kings Guard De’Aaron Fox (5) plays defense at Chesapeake Energy Arena Oklahoma City, OK (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Thunder have been disappointingly up-and-down this season with much of the down coming against teams similar to the Sacramento Kings.

This is a very winnable game, even on the road. Oklahoma City has now had time to digest the loss of Andre Roberson and come together as a unit. Hopefully they made the most of their time off and are ready to come out of the gate strong. TO THE KEYS.

Be aware of shooters – do not let the wings catch fire

Paul George may have struggled from distance during All-Star weekend, but Bogdan Bogdanovic and Buddy Hield did not.

Both players participated in the World vs. USA version of the rookie/sophomore game. Hield jacked 14 threes and wound up with 29 points for Team World. Bogdanovic had 26, also for team World, hitting 7 of 13 from deep and earning MVP honors.

Bogdanovic had a hot streak during the game in which he just kept pulling up from deeper with each attempt. OKC needs to nip this momentum in the bud, as even the toughest teams can fall to a 3-point barrage.

Step up the defense… please

Since Andre Roberson went down for the season, the Thunder’s team defense seemed to go with him. Roberson is a top-tier individual defender, but just how much of the team-defense’ success did he account for?

The defense this season is 12.5 points per 100 possessions worse without Roberson on the floor. That’s a pretty big hit.

Oklahoma City is headed for one of the uglier defensive ratings in the league post-Roberson, which is clearly unacceptable. It is easier said than done, but players do need to step up. If that means stars Westbrook and Anthony, then so be it.

Josh Huestis and Jerami Grant are both capable defenders that need to continue development. Hopefully we will see some of that on display in tonight’s game.

Mmmmm… Kiwi

A constant in the Thunder’s roller coaster season has been big man Steven Adams. He is at or near the top of several important list in the NBA. He is one of the leagues top in field goal percentage, offensive rebounding and apparently: block outs.

When a players is near the top of the list in field goal percentage, it makes sense to feed him the ball, especially in lineups that do not include the full OK3. He is not DeAndre Jordan. Yes, he gets plenty of dunks, but also a litany of floaters and other variations of that beautiful push shot.

Adams gets his through offensive boards, but continued involvement on offense can only mean good things for this team.

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