OKC Thunder game preview: Limiting the sizzling Kemba Walker is key to victory
By Brayden Koch
Stopping Kemba
Kemba Walker has decided to become a different player this year. After averaging 22 points per game last season, Kemba has gone off in 2018-19, averaging 28 on 47 percent shooting from the field. The main issue for this Hornets squad has been the pieces around Kemba, so the OKC Thunder should look to take advantage of that.
In 13 of the first 17 games, Kemba has been the teams leading scorer, including 7 performances in which he put up more than 30.
Based on how the Hornets run their system Kemba will most likely be the one taking the shots late in the game. Fortunately, the Thunder have the defensive stoppers to limit his production
Playing Westbrook on Kemba seems to be the smart and logical choice to ensure success for the Thunder.
Keep Feeding Steven Adams
If anyone seems unstoppable on this Thunder roster, it’s Steven Adams. The trend for the Thunder has been going to Adams early in games to get a few quick buckets and then veering away from using him until they need to at the end of games.
With Cody Zeller being the probable matchup for Adams, it’s simple to say that the Thunder should go to the big Kiwi early and often. In some ways, you could say he’s like a garbage man.
Always there to clean up the mistakes. Steven Adams is currently averaging 10.4 rebounds, with five of those coming on the offensive glass. Going to Adams early can be the Thunder’s way to secure a win against the Hornets.
Meaningful Role Player Minutes
In Wednesday’s win over the Warriors, the Thunder lost 2 of their young players to injuries; Hamidou Diallo, and Terrance Ferguson. While this is a big blow for a Thunder team who has relied on these rookies to fill starting positions, this means that we get to see more minutes out of players such as Deonte Burton and Timothy Luwawu-Cabarrot.
As both of these players have seen increasingly more time on the court, their potential will be tested as they move up in the rotation. It’s likely that Burton may be handed a starting role in Friday’s game, assuming that Abrines remains out with an illness. Thunder fans hope that these two can capitalize on their increased playing time.