Gameday Preview: OKC Thunder face litmus test against defending champs and top-seeded Warriors
By Alex Mcewen
Recent first-half defensive masters
After giving up 68 first-half points to the Clippers on Friday, March 8, the Thunder have given up 37 to Utah, 52 to the Nets, and allowed 50 points to the Pacers in their most recent outing. When the Warriors have been held to 52-points or less in the first half, they are 4-11 this campaign.
For the duration of the season, when the Thunder holds their opponent to 52 points or less in the first-half their record is a staggering 23-4. For this reason, so long as the Thunder limit the Warriors to 52 or fewer first-half points this evening, they will have an advantage in the contest.
Warriors tragic number
This season when the Warriors fail to hit 10 or more treys they are 4-10. When they hit 10 or less threes they are 7-13, not much better than the above-highlighted record. Conversely, when the Thunder held their opponent below 10 3-pointers made they are 20-6.
Mid-range assassins?
The Warriors are a prolific 3-Point shooting team, be that as it may, they are equally gifted at a throw-back shot, the mid-range jumper. This season, the Dubs are shooting 47.2 percent from mid-range. That percentage their second highest in the seven shot area’s NBA.com/Stats tracks, and is higher than their 3-Point percentage from both corners and above the break.
Leave KD alone
Once when Kevin Durant returned to OKC, fans behind the Warriors bench allegedly used racially charged language towards KD. Foremost, there is no room for that kind of hatred, in the NBA, or anywhere for that matter. Given what has occurred in Utah recently, and their swift action taken, behave yourself tonight Thunder Nation. Because the act itself is disgraceful and the repercussions are stern.
Next week, Durant will return again for the Nick Collison jersey retirement, and the Thunder said they welcome him back. Westbrook was laughing with KD during All-Star weekend. The organization and Russ have moved on, it’s time the fan base does too. You do not have to cheer, KD is on the opposing team, just do not do anything vulgar.