Game preview: OKC Thunder open season seeking to play spoiler on ring night
Predicted Line-ups
OKC Thunder Starters:
Point Guard: Dennis Schroder
Shooting Guard: Terrance Ferguson
Small Forward: Paul George
Power Forward:Patrick Patterson
Center: Steven Adams**
OKC Thunder Bench:
Point Guard: Raymond Felton,
Shooting Guard: Alex Abrines, Hamidou Diallo, Deonte Burton
Small Forward: Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Abdel Nader
Power Forward: Jerami Grant
Center: Nerlens Noel, Tyler Davis
Injury notes/Suspensions:
- Russell Westbrook: depending on the site I checked Russ was either listed as a game time decision, out or questionable. Bottom line, until pre-game shoot around don’t rule him out.
- Andre Roberson will be out until December/January at a minimum (patellar tendon – rehab from suture removal to same knee)
- **Steven Adams listed as questionable due to back stiffness on Monday
Golden State Warriors Starters:
Point Guard: Stephen Curry
Shooting Guard: Klay Thompson
Small Forward: Kevin Durant
Power Forward: Draymond Green
Center: Damian Jones
Golden State Warriors Reserves:
Point Guard: Quinn Cook
Shooting Guard: Jacob Evans III
Small Forward: Andre Iguodala, Jordan Bell, Alfonzo McKinnie, Marcus Derrickson
Power Forward: Jonas Jerebko,
Center: Kevon Looney
Injuries:
- Shaun Livingston is listed as questionable (foot)
- DeMarcus Cousins is out continuing to rehab from a ruptured Achilles tendon
- Damian Lee is also out (plantar fasciitis)
Game Specifics:
Recent History:
More from Thunderous Intentions
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
All-Time the teams are tied 18-18. Despite splitting their four matches in 2017-18 that is the best the Thunder have done since 2013-14 when OKC last won the season series. Golden State is 12-3 in the past 15 games and since Durant joined the Dubs they are 6-2.
Fan Data:
The Venue: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
The Tip: 9:30 PM CT (10:30 EST) with ring ceremony expected to occur prior to tipoff.
Ring Ceremony: Warriors sites are suggesting the ceremony to hand out rings will begin 15 minutes prior to tipoff.
TV: TNT
Radio: Oklahoma City – WWLS 98.1FM OKC / 930AM (ESP), for Oakland 95.7 The Game
The Line:
Given the expectation of Russell Westbrook remaining out injured and the potential for Steven Adams to miss the contest the oddsmakers are leaning heavily toward Golden State winning. The Dubs are projected to win by a margin of 12.5 points with an over-under of 222 points. Since the 2000-2001 season championship teams are 8-10 on opening night.
Next. OKC offseason report card – Grading every Sam Presti move. dark
Check back later as TI provides injury updates for Russell Westbrook and Steven Adams as they become available. Following the game we’ll have post game grades and the Topic: Thunder podcast crew will offer their insights on the game. Let’s go Thunder!