Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

5 key factors in OKC Thunder schedule which could affect the win column

By Tamberlyn Richardson

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder gestures from the sideline during Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 27: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Oklahoma City Thunder gestures from the sideline during Game Six of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 27, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – NOVEMBER 7: Paul George #13 and Jerami Grant #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder face the Sacramento Kings on November 7, 2017 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

How many games OKC Thunder face each opponent:

Typical to every season the Western Conference plays their Eastern counterparts twice; once at home and once on the road. In addition, all divisional squads meet four times. Where the variance lies is the other 10 teams in the Conference. In some cases the OKC Thunder will play those other teams four times and in some instances three.

Here’s the number of times the Thunder will play those 10 squads:

Four meetings:

Like the Eastern Conference and divisional season series the games are split evenly between road and home matches. The six opponents who OKC will play four times are the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings and LA Clippers.

Three meetings:

By virtue of arbitrary selection the OKC Thunder will play two of the biggest Western Conference draws in the NBA three times. Perhaps ironically those squads also have a history with OKC. The Warriors with Kevin Durant will host OKC on two occasions including opening night when they’ll receive championship rings and raise the banner.

Although the Lakers were rivals in the Kobe years this season feels like that flame could get re-lit. Not only is LeBron James now on the Lakers, but the fact Paul George elected to re-sign in OKC and not even give the Lakers a courtesy meeting blew up on social media as fans and even players got into the mix. The first meeting between the squads won’t occur until January 17 in OKC who’ll host twice and visit Staples once.

The other two teams the Thunder play twice are the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs with OKC hosting twice and once respectively.

It’s expected the Warriors will sit atop the West so limiting to three in season games is a plus. As for Lakers, Spurs and Grizzlies pundits opinions vary on how well they’ll perform. Regardless of where you land in this debate it’s a given each of those opponents will be challenging. LeBron and his Lakers will want to send George a message while the Spurs and Grizzlies are always tough outs.

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