Game Preview: Win-less OKC Thunder hopeful Russell Westbrook returns in home opener
By Alex Mcewen
Limit three-point attempts
In the first two games, the Thunder are shooting 17-70 (24.3 percent), through two games the Thunder do not possess one player shooting 35 percent or above from beyond the arc. Yet, they’re attempting (as of Saturday afternoon) the seventh most threes per game.
Oklahoma City will likely shoot 30-plus threes again this evening if they shoot poorly it should be considered a massive red flag. The Kings are atrocious defensively allowing their opponents to shoot 50 percent from the perimeter. Therefore, if the Thunder shoot the ball well tonight it will be nothing more than an aberration.
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Play with focus
Last season Oklahoma City had a tendency to play lackadaisically when facing an inferior opponent. Case in point, 14 of OKC’s 34 losses occurred when taking on a non-playoff team. Although it is far too early this season to know which teams will qualify for the post-season, entering the 2018-19 campaign very few expected the Clippers to make the playoffs.
Hence, why the Thunder’s lazy habits reared their ugly head against LAC on Friday night. The NBA is the greatest basketball league on the planet, thus any team can beat their opponent on any given night. For this reason, Oklahoma City must bring their A-game every time they step on the hardwood or they run the risk of losing the contest
Exploit the defense and play off the crowd
The Kings are allowing the most points per game at 136 and possess the third worst defensive rating at 122.5. Regardless if Westbrook makes his season debut or not the Thunder’s offense should shake loose against the hapless Kings.
Another positive for Oklahoma City’s stagnant offense is tonight will be the home opener. The last time OKC played a meaningful game inside the Peake was Game 5 of 2018 quarterfinals against the Jazz. Thunder Nation has been eagerly awaiting the return of Thunder basketball, given tonight is the home opener the Peake should be ruckus this evening.