OKC Thunder Game day preview: NBA’s worst offenses meet with views to getting on track

OKC Thunder Starters

Point Guard: Dennis Schroder (Russell Westbrook?) 
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: 

• *Alex Abrines who took a shot to the head last time out is listed as probable.
• Andre Roberson will be out until December/January at a minimum (patellar tendon – rehab from suture removal to same knee).

Boston Celtics Starters

Point Guard: Kyrie Irving
Shooting Guard: Jaylen Brown
Small Forward: Gordon Hayward
Power Forward: Jayson Tatum
Center: Al Horford

Boston Celtics Bench

Point Guard:  Terry Rozier, Brad Wanamaker
Shooting Guard: Marcus Smart, Jabari Bird
Small Forward: Boston play three small forward in their starting rotation, but Brad Stevens views the game differently when it comes to rotations. Stevens has three groupings – playmakers, wings and bigs and as such the reserve power forwards will often play at small forward.
Power Forward: Marcus Morris, Daniel Theis, Guerschon Yabusele, Semi Ojeleye
Center: *See injuries – some of above power forward group will spend time at center

Injuries: 

• Aron Baynes: missed last game with hamstring issue and is listed as questionable.
• Jabari Bird may face suspension due to an off court incident and remains listed as out.

Game Specifics:

Recent History:

All-Time the OKC Thunder lead 12-8 and are 7-3 in the past 10 games, but lost both games to Boston last season in heart breaking fashion.

Game Details:

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

The Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The Tip: 7:00 PM CT (8:00 EST)
TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma and TNT
Radio: Oklahoma City – WWLS 98.1FM OKC / 930AM (ESP)

Closing Thoughts:

While not ideal to still be seeking a win it’s not a dire situation. In spite of this, the pressure and spotlight will gain momentum with another loss, so a victory would go a long way to quieting the masses.

After three full days to prepare for Boston the OKC Thunder should be ready from the tip. Westbrook definitely will be amped and the one thing you can count on with OKC is they get up for games versus the upper echelon.

In fact the Thunder held the best record versus the top three squads last season and this is a deeper more talented Thunder squad. Effort and focus has been missing in two of the three losses, doubtful that will be the case for this match.

Outside of the keys to winning one absolute which needs to be implemented is Billy Donovan must have a quick hook. Specifically, if Ferguson starts and remains tentative offensively and ineffective defensively Billy D has to be quick to replace him.

Similarly, if Patterson isn’t contributing offensively or is missing defensive rotations the coach will need to tap Grant to replace him early. With a squad teeming with talent it won’t be an easy challenge

Enjoy the game and join us afterward for player grades, the post game Topic: Thunder podcast and key takeaways in the morning. Let’s do it Thunder Nation!