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OKC Thunder preview: Time to end 8 game losing streak at Moda Center

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MARCH 07: Portland Trail Blazers Center Jusuf Nurkic (27) backing Oklahoma City Thunder Center Steven Adams (12) into the lane on March 07, 2017, at the Chesapeake Energy Arena Oklahoma City, OK. (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MARCH 07: Portland Trail Blazers Center Jusuf Nurkic (27) backing Oklahoma City Thunder Center Steven Adams (12) into the lane on March 07, 2017, at the Chesapeake Energy Arena Oklahoma City, OK. (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Jusuf Nurkic, Steven Adams, OKC Thunder (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Cool off Jusuf Nurkic:

Steven Adams will have his hands full as Jusuf Nurkic is on an absolute hot streak of late. In his last game Nurkic created NBA history with 24 points, 23 rebounds, 7 assists as well as five steals and five blocks. No player has accomplished this feat since the Association began counting steals and blocks.

Through his last four games Nurkic is averaging 21.5 points, 13 rebounds, and 5.25 assists. When the big man is beasting like this it allows the Blazers to work inside out and spread the court with their numerous perimeter shooters.

OKC will need Steven Adams to bring his A game to deal with Nurkic.

Handle the Blazers star backcourt:

Damian Lillard continues to grow his game and is lethal in the fourth quarter. Through 38 games Lillard only scored under 20 points (and no less than 13) on seven occasions. On the season Dame is performing above his career averages in virtually every category and doing it in fewer minutes.

Per Game Table
Season MP FG% 3P% 2P% eFG% FT% ORB DRB TRB AST STL PTS
2018-19 35.4 .452 .394 .491 .531 .895 0.8 4.0 4.8 5.8 0.9 26.7
Career 36.3 .433 .370 .478 .510 .885 0.6 3.5 4.1 6.2 0.9 23.4

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 1/4/2019.

McCollum is streakier than Lillard. Through his last seven games an odd trend is occurring. In one game he scores in the teens then the very next game scores at least 10 points more. If this phenomenon continues he’s on track to score 26 or more points tonight. Here’s hoping OKC don’t buy into silly trends.

Assuming Ferguson is healthy after the tough fall and swat to the face he took in LA he’s likely to draw the assignment of either Lillard or CJ McCollum. Either member of the Blazers backcourt can get hot and when they are both rolling it can be a long night.

The key with the Blazers backcourt is to make them work on both sides of the floor. That won’t be a problem for Westbrook, but it’s not like Ferguson will be actively involved in the offense.

The ideal game plan should feature Westbrook. Paul George and Adams all attacking Nurkic to get him in early foul trouble while also making CJ and Dame work defensively.

Utilize assets:

Both teams are strong on the boards particularly with the way Nurkic is rolling. Zach Collins is a quality sophomore and pegged as the Blazers big man of the future. Two areas necessary to highlight in the game plan are rebounding and reserve help.

Because Collins can be a handful it’s important Billy D doesn’t hold back on Nerlens Noel‘s minutes. His body is perfectly suited to deal with Collins and to serve as a rim protector. Likewise, Billy Donovan should capitalize on Abdel Nader who has demonstrated the ability to score from all over the court. With OKC searching for offense Nader offers a tangible quality the coach needs to invest minutes in and nurture.

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