Game Preview: Surging OKC Thunder visit reeling Brooklyn Nets
By Alex Mcewen
After obliterating the Detroit Pistons Monday night, the surging OKC Thunder aspire to continue their winning ways vs. the reeling Brooklyn Nets.
The OKC Thunder are coming off their second-largest victory this season. Oklahoma City’s thrashing of the Pistons punctuated where the team currently stands. In their last 10 games, OKC is 8-2, their average margin of victory has been 18.8 points. Tied with the Boston Celtics for the best mark in the league over that time span.
The Thunder’s star of the game was Steven Adams, he registered 21 points, on 7-8 shooting. Steve-O also added six boards, an assist, and two blocks. As good as Adams was on the offensive end, he was equally effective on the defensive side of the ball.
Adams limited Pistons All-Star Andre Drummond to eight points on 4-10 shooting. Far below Drummond’s season averages of 18.6 points per game and 52.5 percent shooting. It was good to see Adams get back on track, after being off-kilter in the final two games of Oklahoma City’s homestand. Having two days of rest, definitely benefited the Kiwi Center.
Don’t sleep on Brooklyn
Any team can defeat their opponent on any given night. To this point, the Thunder have established a 12-3 record vs. lower tier teams, but Brooklyn cannot be overlooked. The Nets have lost seven games in a row, but four of the seven losses have been by a margin of six points or less.
The Nets have been playing hard, yet it has not translated to victories. Brooklyn’s biggest problem is they desperately miss their rising star Caris LeVert who suffered a dislocated foot on November 12. Before LeVert was injured, the Net’s were 6-8. Since his injury, Brooklyn has won a mere two contests.
Regardless, Oklahoma City must bring the same level of focus they brought against the Pistons or the Nets could pick up their fourth home win of the year.