The OKC Thunder play their final preseason contest hosing an extremely short Milwaukee Bucks crew. TI preps you for the match via the game day preview.
The last preseason game the OKC Thunder play is a bit of a misnomer given new Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer has elected to rest four-fifths of the starting lineup. Yup, they’ll be no win tonight based on a Greek Freak step out of bounds. He’ll be riding the pine on designated rest as will Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and and Eric Bledsoe.
What makes this choice odd is the Bucks already have several players out nursing injuries and many front court players at that.
Maybe coach Bud is pulling a fast one on Billy Donovan who likely had the Thunder prepping to play the ultra long Bucks. Instead nine of the 12 players who’ll be active are backcourt players.
What to watch for:
Limited minutes for core and Schroder:
Given the dynamics of the rosters the question is whether Billy D will chance suiting up his own starters like Paul George, Steven Adams and Dennis Schroder. OKC can’t afford to suffer an injury to one of their stars. In a game of this nature unsigned players are vying for a spot on the varsity or G-League squad. Those players are trying to impress, so they won’t be holding anything back. The last thing OKC needs is an over eager player inadvertently hurting someone on the Thunder.
Perhaps I’m thinking overly cautious here, but after witnessing Lonnie Walker (meniscus) and Dejounte Murray (ACL) of the Spurs go down in preseason – getting the Thunder all safely to game end and out of preseason should take precedence.
Fundamentals:
Throughout preseason the OKC Thunder have demonstrated adeptness in the paint both in terms of scoring and rebounding. Given the Bucks won’t have much size on the court it would behoove them to work on other areas they need to improve. Moving the ball, increasing assists, free throw shooting and efficiency from the parameter should all warrant extra attention.
Decisions on end of bench and G-League:
Since the Bucks have elected to run out their second, third and fourth line players this is the perfect opportunity to give extra minutes to players OKC are still making decisions on. Look for Billy D to test various iterations of his reserve line paying particular attention to his wing men.
It’s unlikely Sam Presti will be keen to fill the 15th roster spot however, there are still decisions to be made for the OKC Blue.
The combination of those two requirements should equal plenty of playing time for Alex Abrines, Hamidou Diallo, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Deonte Burton, Raymond Felton, K.J. McDaniels, Abdul Gaddy, Richard Solomon, Bryce Alford and Tyler Davis
Bucks:
This is more of a G-League crew for Milwaukee as numerous Bucks are being rested or out with injuries. Most notably the Greek Freak – Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t suit up. Neither will Middleton, Bledsoe or Lopez who are likewise being rested.
It might have been simpler to list who is playing. The only starter from the Bulls game not being rested is Malcolm Brogdon.
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- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
Of those from the reserve list who haven’t been ruled out, the presumed starters are in brackets:
- Point guard: (Brogdon like to get the start), Tim Frazier. Matthew Dellavedova
- Shooting guard: Donte DiVincenzo, Jaylen Morris, (Pat Connaughton at SF) Shabazz Muhammad, (Tony Snell). Sterling Brown
- Small forward:
- Power forward: Christian Wood, (John Henson)
- Center: (Tyler Zeller),
Clearly this is going to be a small ball match with six shooting guards and three point guards comprising nine of the 12 available players.
Injuries:
Bucks: Ersan Ilyasova is nursing a hamstring injury, Thon Maker has a sore knee, D.J. Wilson also has a sore hamstring and Trevon Duval is also out with an apparent eye injury.
OKC Thunder: Russell Westbrook, Andre Roberson are both definitely out. Terrance Ferguson is also out undergoing the concussion protocol. No word on Abdel Nader yet, but he’s yet to see action this preseason nursing a sore knee.
Game Time:
7:00 p.m. central time (8:00 p.m. eastern standard time)
Venue:
Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma
Viewing:
In Canada the game is on NBA TV, but locally you can watch the game on the OKC Thunder Mobile App or live stream.live stream on okcthunder.com.
Radio:
WWLS the Sports Animal 98.1 FM (97.1 Tulsa)
Following the game Thunderous Intentions will have post game reaction and notes on the match and later the Topic: Thunder crew will offer their insight on the highs and lows from the match. Enjoy the game.