With a rekindled win-streak, the OKC Thunder travels to Orlando hot off a rout over the Bucks seeking a sixth straight win.
Tonight’s game will be a collision of two teams from different ends of the spectrum. The OKC Thunder has bounced back with a five-game winning streak, while the Magic have lost three straight.
OKC had a healthy outing Sunday night, displaying the delight that can happen when all players are ignited. Six of the nine Thunder players receiving minutes landed in double-digit scoring for the night.
Paul George had one of his feistiest nights this season. Behind his 36-point performance, the team managed to dominate the top-seed in the East, Milwaukee Bucks (despite letting a 19-point lead dwindle to three… but who’s surprised?).
On the other hand, Orlando has seen a lack of success. The team has only three wins in the last ten games for an overall record of 20-30. Their record is dismal, but Orlando may have a trick up their metaphorical sleeves.
Over on the Orlando Magic NBA.com team site, an article was written by Josh Cohen as encouragement to vote Nikola Vucevic for All-Star Reserves:
"He has scored at least 30 points five times already this season, including twice against LeBron James and the Lakers, logged his second career triple-double against Joel Embiid’s Sixers and is averaging career highs in nearly every statistical category. It’s also important to note that he’s become a solid defender under Steve Clifford. Vucevic and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the only two Eastern Conference players this season thus far who have recorded a minimum of 15 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in at least five games. Milwaukee’s do-it-all star has 11 such performances, while Orlando’s versatile big man has seven of them."
If Nerlens Noel, Terrance Ferguson, and Jerami Grant (is Jerami still Jerami? Or is he Paul?) can maintain the high degree of defensive pressure they displayed versus Giannis Antetokounmpo, this win should be on lockdown.
Let’s chat about other areas to focus on as OKC Thunder look to extend to six consecutive wins.