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, Deonte Burton
Small Forward: Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Abdel Nader
Power Forward: Patrick Patterson
Center:
Injury Notes:
- Nerlens Noel is in the concussion protocol program following the nasty fall in the game versus the Wolves. His return date is unknown.
- Alex Abrines remains away from the team in what is becoming an odd situation given the lack of details.
- Andre Roberson: remains out rehabbing from the patellar tendon injury with a projected return date of either January or February. Though his return seems to be getting pushed further and further away, per Maddie Lee.
Stats per NBA.com/Stats and Basketball-reference.com
Atlanta Hawks Starters:
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Point Guard: Trae Young
Shooting Guard: Kevin Huerter
Small Forward: DeAndre’ Bembry
Power Forward: Omari Spellman
Center: John Collins
Atlanta Hawks Bench:
Point Guard: Jeremy Lin
Shooting Guard: Vince Carter, Tyler Dorsey, Justin Anderson, Daniel Hamilton
Small Forward: *Taurean Prince
Power Forward:
Center: *Dewayne Dedmon, Alex Len
Injury Notes:
- Kent Bazemore: listed as out for ankle injury for at least two weeks since Dec. 30.
- Dewayne Dedmon: listed as out on a day by day basis due to left ankle injury, did not play in Atlanta’s game against Bucks on Sunday.
- Miles Plumlee: listed as out after undergoing a procedure on his left knee.
- Taurean Waller-Prince: listed as out on a day by day basis due to left ankle sprain, did not play in Atlanta’s game against Bucks on Sunday.
Injury report per Basketball-Reference.com.
Game Specifics
Fan Data
The Venue: Phillips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
Tipoff: 6:30 PM Central Time, 7:30 PM EST
TV: FS Oklahoma, TNT HD
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC
History
OKC and Atlanta are nearly even all-time, with the Thunder barely ahead 67-66.
Prediction:
With the way OKC Thunder has played recently and Noel still under concussion protocol, OKC is vulnerable. However, with Schroder in an energizing position returning to Atlanta and the explosion of points from the bench Saturday night, I’d pick OKC to come out as the victor in this one.
Make sure to visit Thunderous Intentions after the match for our Post-Game Grades, Topic: Thunder podcast and key takeaways.