Game Preview: OKC Thunder aim for clean sweep over the Phoenix Suns
By Alex Mcewen
Fresh off consecutive losses the OKC Thunder visit the scrappy Suns for their final meeting this season. Oklahoma City seeks their first sweep of the season.
The OKC Thunder are coming off two tough losses, courtesy of the Timberwolves and Rockets. OKC’s loss to the Rockets involved copious factors, the biggest were James Harden and Clint Capela‘s otherworldly performances. And Oklahoma City’s inability to convert offensive rebounds into second-chance points.
The Thunder pulled down 18 offensive rebounds, one more than Houston. However, they were outscored in second-chance points 23-9. Hustle and bully ball are vital areas the Thunder need an advantage in if they want to be successful. On Tuesday afternoon, Houston bested Oklahoma City at their game and the OKC’s forte.
In order for the Thunder to get back on track and complete their first sweep of the season, they must impose their will and force Phoenix into tough situations. In the same fashion as their previous three contests.
Upstart Suns
Evan Sidery of SB Nation recently broke down the similarities between the 2008-09 Thunder squad and the 2018-19 iteration of the Suns. At first, the comparison seems laughable, but after reading Sidery’s piece, it is not as far-fetched as it sounds.
The Suns and rising Devin Booker just enjoyed their longest win streak of Booker’s career. Over their last ten games, the Suns are 5-5, in the same span the Raptors, Thunder, Sixers, Lakers, and Kings are also 5-5.
However, during Phoenix’s recent success their defense still leaves a lot to be desired. With a defensive rating (DRTG) of 109.7, they are a hair below the Sixers 109.4 DRTG and place only above the Kings 24th ranked DRTG of 112.1. For the record, OKC’s DRTG has slipped to 104.5, down from their league-leading 102.2 DRTG.
*The noted defensive rating is based on each team’s last five games
It should be noted defensive consistency comes in due time. Case in point, the Suns and Kings defensive tendencies and the 2008-09 OKC Thunder posted a DRTG of 107.6.