Game Preview: OKC Thunder with a mission for redemption over the Chicago Bulls

Russell Westbrook high-fives Steven Adams, OKC Thunder (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Russell Westbrook high-fives Steven Adams, OKC Thunder (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
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OKC Thunder
OKC Thunder (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

Projected Line-ups

OKC Thunder Starters:

Point Guard: Russell Westbrook
Shooting Guard: 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, *Hamidou DialloTimothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Deonte Burton
Small Forward: Abdel Nader
Power Forward: Patrick Patterson
Center: Nerlens Noel

Injury Notes:

  • Andre Roberson: After suffering a third setback from his initial patellar tendon injury Roberson is expected out another six weeks. Aiming for a mid January return.

Chicago Bulls Starters

Point Guard: Ryan Arcidiacono
Shooting Guard: Kris Dunn
Small Forward: Justin Holiday
Power Forward: Lauri Markkanen
Center: Wendell Carter Jr.

Chicago Bulls Bench

Point Guard: Cameron PayneShaquille Harrison
Shooting Guard: Antonio Blakeney
Small Forward: Chandler Hutchison
Power Forward: Jabari Parker, Bobby PortisCristiano Felicio
Center: Robin Lopez

More from Thunderous Intentions

Injury Notes:

  • Zach LaVine suffered an anikle sprain and is expected to miss the game verus OKC
  • Antonio Blakeney missed last two games due to illness and is questionable for tonight
  • Denzel Valentine (reconstructive ankle surgery) expected to miss the season.

*Injury note via Rotoworld

Game Specifics

Recent History:

All-time the Thunder are 12-8 vs. the Bulls. Last season the Thunder swept the season series, but the Bulls took the opening game of this year in a heartbreaker.

Fan Data:

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

Odds:

The oddsmakers make the OKC Thunder 13 point favorites with an over-under of 213.5.

Make sure to visit Thunderous Intentions at game end for post game player grades and analysis from the Topic:Thunder podcast crew. Then check back Tuesday for the top takeaways.