Game Preview: How the OKC Thunder can take advantage of the bickering Warriors
By Alex Mcewen
Projected Line-ups
OKC Thunder Starters:
Point Guard: Russell Westbrook
Shooting Guard: Hamidou Diallo/Terrance Ferguson
Small Forward: Paul George
Power Forward: Jerami Grant*
Center: Steven Adams
OKC Thunder Bench
Point Guard: Dennis Schroder, Raymond Felton
Shooting Guard: Alex Abrines*, Deonte Burton
Small Forward: Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Abdel Nader
Power Forward: Patrick Patterson
Center: Nerlens Noel*
Injury and suspension notes:
- Andre Roberson: Will be out until December/January, (patellar tendon – rehab from suture removal to the same knee). Yet, Roberson is beginning to do more on and off the court. It would be fair to expect him back sooner, rather than later.
- Nerlens Noel: Injury/Illness, Noel did not appear in OKC’s previous match against the Kings. On the box score he was listed as out due to an injury/illness, perhaps he caught what Abrines had, or Noel could have been suffering a residual effect from his recent eye procedure.
Alex Abrines and Nerlens Noel are “still dealing with illnesses,” Billy Donovan said.
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) November 20, 2018
- Alex Abrines: Illness, Abrines has been battling an illness and was initially available vs. the Kings, but then he was ruled out for the second half.
- Terrance Ferguson: Personal Reasons – presumably the birth of his first child, is expected to rejoin the team.
The Thunder are “hopeful” Terrance Ferguson will rejoin the team tonight, Billy Donovan said.
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) November 20, 2018
- Jerami Grant: Ankle sprain, is questionable.
Billy Donovan says it’s “hard to tell” the status of Jerami Grant (right ankle) at this point. Thunder didn’t do much today.
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) November 20, 2018
Projected Warriors Starters
Shooting Guard: Andre Iguodala
Shooting Guard: Klay Thompson
Small Forward: Kevin Durant
Power Forward: Jonas Jerebko
Center: Kevon Looney
Point Guard: Quinn Cook, Shaun Livingston
Shooting Guard: Damion Lee, Jacob Evans,
Small Forward: Marcus Derrickson
Power Forward: Jordan Bell
Center: Damian Jones
Injury and suspension notes:
- Steph Curry: Groin, is listed as out for tonight’s contest.
Steph Curry still out to start this homestand, but groin strain clearly feeling better, out here doing normal shooting routine, ending it with some basketball hacky-sack, plus a Steve Nash cameo pic.twitter.com/334PCyH7i1
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) November 20, 2018
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
Draymond Green: Toe, is expected to miss tonight’s game
out until December.
Game Specifics:
Recent History:
All-Time, the OKC Thunder trail 21-23 against the Warriors, including the playoffs, and OKC is 2-8 in the past 10 games.
Fan Data:
The Venue: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California.
The Tip: 9:30 PM CST (10:30 EST)
TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma and ESPN
Radio: Oklahoma City – WWLS 98.1FM OKC / 930AM (ESP) and League Pass Audio
Next. 5 things to like and dislike surrounding Nerlens Noel. dark
Prediction:
This game could go either way, but give me the Warriors. It would be hard to fathom the Warriors losing four games in a row. Plus, the Dubs are at home, home cooking is always welcome during a losing streak. However, if OKC plays with focus and precision, they could gain a valuable conference and confidence-boosting win. Enjoy the game Thunder Nation.