OKC Thunder gameday preview: MVP showdown courtesy of third meeting vs. Rockets
Projected Lineups
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
Shooting Guard: Hamidou Diallo, Alex Abrines
Small Forward: Abdel Nader
Power Forward: Patrick Patterson
Center: Nerlens Noel
OKC Thunder Injuries:
- Andre Roberson (Knee) – is not close to returning according to Brett Dawson of The Athletic.
Last night was Russell Westbrook's 39th game with at least 12 points, 12 assists, and 12 rebounds, two away from Magic's total https://t.co/2bTxojwBAX pic.twitter.com/8mRKS1lq4Q
— Basketball Reference (@bball_ref) February 4, 2019
Houston Rockets Starters:
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- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
Point Guard: Chris Paul
Shooting Guard: James Harden
Small Forward: Eric Gordon (GTD)
Power Forward: P.J. Tucker
Center: Kenneth Faried
Houston Rockets Bench:
Point Guard: Austin Rivers, Brandon Knight
Shooting Guard: James Ennis III
Small Forward: Gerald Green
Power Forward: Gary Clark, Marquese Chriss
Center: Nene Hilario, Isaiah Hartenstein
Houston Rockets Injuries:
- Clint Capella (Thumb) is set to return after the All-Star break after surgery to repair ligament damage.
- Eric Gordon (Knee) is listed as day-to-day with knee soreness.
Game Specifics
Recent History:
The Thunder split with the Rockets in the first two matchups of the season, winning game one at home 98-80 and losing on the road 113-109.
Game Details:
Venue: Toyota Center
Game time: 7:30 CT; 8:30 EST
TV: ABC or Fox Sports Oklahoma
Radio: Oklahoma City – WWLS 98.1FM /930AM (ESP)
Prediction
Given how hot the Thunder have been playing lately and considering Clint Capella is out, it’s hard not to lean towards Oklahoma City. However, Harden won’t go down without a fight and he’ll have the home crowd to back him.
Still, I’ll stay with my biased opinion and say the OKC Thunder take the series lead with a win on the road. The season series is tied at 1-1 with the home team winning each outing, so getting the dub on the road would certainly make a statement.
Next. Thunder idle at trade deadline – view of reformulated rosters. dark
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