Thunderous Intentions
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Game Day Preview: OKC Thunder travel north to face red hot Raptors

By Tamberlyn Richardson

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 28 - Russell Westbrook (0) of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Kyle Lowry (7) of the Toronto Raptors battle for a loose ball during second half NBA action at the Air Canada Centre, March 28, 2016. Westbrook recorder a triple- double to help lead the Thunder to a 119-100 win. (Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 28 - Russell Westbrook (0) of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Kyle Lowry (7) of the Toronto Raptors battle for a loose ball during second half NBA action at the Air Canada Centre, March 28, 2016. Westbrook recorder a triple- double to help lead the Thunder to a 119-100 win. (Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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A tall task awaits as the OKC Thunder embark on a mini two game road trip to face the top two seeds in the east.

For the OKC Thunder each of their next 10 opponents presents a tough test. Each one of these teams is either currently seeded or vying to get on the playoff ladder (Nuggets).

Moreover, four of these next 10 games are versus the top two seeds in each conference. Two of those games are next on the agenda as the Thunder face the Raptors and Celtics. There simply aren’t any easy games left until the final game of the season versus Memphis.

The team north of the border were the first to solidify a playoff berth and have built what appears to be an insurmountable five game lead over the second place Celtics.  Toronto is on a record setting pace to register their highest win total ever. Their previous high was 56 wins in 2015-16. Sitting with 52 wins and 13 games remaining, Toronto’s objective is clear. Capture the Eastern Conference top seed with 60 wins. Both would be franchise firsts.

Notable highlights of the east’s best:

  • Only NBA team ranked top five offensively (3rd) and defensively (4th).
  • Best home record in NBA (29-5).
  • Fewest double digit losses in NBA (three). Let’s put this stat into perspective. Toronto lost in Denver 111-129 on November 1. This loss came in game five of a six game road trip all on the west coast. The second double digit loss occurred versus the Wizards in the first game back from that six game road trip. Toronto flew back from Utah got one day off and played Washington early in a 96-107 loss.  Obviously Thunder Nation knows the third game the Raptors lost by double digits – the game in OKC on December 27. This 107-124 loss came on the second night of a back to back set. In contrast, the Thunder have lost 11 games by ten or more points.
  • Aside from the Wizards loss at home the four other losses were by one point (Heat), two points (Warriors), four points (Jazz) and three points (Bucks in OT).
  • One of two teams (Warriors) who haven’t lost three games in a row this season.
  • Only teams to register two wins over Raptors this season – Warriors, Wizards (2 wins each).
  • On current 11 game win streak.
  • Current road win streak of eight games.
  • Lost just one game since February 2nd (Bucks – an overtime loss centered in controversy as Valanciunas was knocked off his feet at game end and should have shot free throws).
  • The above streak features an 18-1 record.
  • Against lottery teams (squads under .500) the Raptors have lost just 2 games (Knicks/Mavericks) which is the best in the NBA.
  • Raptors (and Celtics) feature sixth youngest average age (25.1) in NBA. Only team younger who is a current playoff seed is the Blazers who rank third (24.6).
  • Best bench in NBA (see more in three keys regarding statistics).
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