Thunder In the news: As stretch run heats up OKC prepare for massive battle

The OKC Thunder enter Sunday with must win on their minds to close out the regular season.

For the OKC Thunder no doubt as they face the team ahead of them in the standings an earlier loss this week will be fresh in their minds.

Ironically, the referees who imposed their will at the end of the game in Toronto (and in a match which appeared to be going OKC’s way anyway), also affected the loss in Boston. Two missed calls on Marcus Morris ended up ensuring the Celtics win.

Knowing those 24 seconds could prove to be the most costly 24 seconds of the season doesn’t ease Thunder Nation’s pain. Following the loss in Boston the Portland Trail Blazers who held a two game cushion over OKC went on to lose their next two games.

Sunday will be key to where OKC finish:

OKC made up some ground via their victory over the Heat while that lucky leprechaun apparently travels with the Celtics whose undermanned squad upset the Blazers in Portland.

The result is the Thunder enter today a game back of Portland. To put in perspective how costly those .24 seconds were, if OKC had won that Tuesday match a win today could have definitively pushed them up to the third seed.

The reason I use the caveat ‘could’ is tying Portland record wise does the Thunder no benefit since OKC already lost the season tiebreaker.

Furthermore, with news Stephen Curry will be out between three to six weeks following his MRI means the situation in the West is far less certain.

OKC Thunder love adversity:

All season it’s been a battle to find consistency and each time it appears the OKC Thunder have cleared that hurdle they stumble with a loss like the one in Boston. Moving forward the final eight matches don’t offer much opportunity since seven are against potential playoff teams.

This OKC team seems to love adversity. Well, they put themselves in that position and have guaranteed drama and intensity to close out the regular season.

Unfortunately those 11 losses to lottery teams will also haunt them as the season draws to a close.

Thunder Nation will hope Russell Westbrook‘s recent declaration he knows what time it is (implication – time to win) bears fruit in the standings.

As we prepare to buckle down for these eight games, maybe the Thunder can find their own lucky charm. Or, maybe they have already found it in the form of Corey Brewer!

Next: Preferable matchups for OKC in playoffs

For the full game day break down check out Alex Mcewen’s preview  and join us back here for the post game grades.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and see you back here tomorrow.