Preview: OKC Thunder hit the 6ix seeking revenge for OT loss versus Raptors
By Alex Mcewen
Stopping Siakam
If Raptors third-year forward Pascal Siakam does not win Most Improved Players MIP, a serious upset will have occurred. In his first two years of service, the Cameroon-born forward scored in double digits 28 times and posted a single 20-point game. This season, Siakam has produced 20 or more points on 21 occasions. Moreover, he’s failed to crack double figures on only seven occasions.
In his most recent outing vs. OKC, Siakam dropped 33-points on the Thunder, but he did much more than just score. Toronto’s savvy forward pulled-down 13-rebounds dished six assists and grabbed two steals. His only flaw on the night was committing five turnovers. If Oklahoma City does not contain the likely MIP, they will conceivably be staring at their fifth straight loss.
Battle on the break
Both the Thunder and Raptors are elite on the break. Toronto places fourth in fast-break points per match at 18.8, while the Thunder are a hair below ranking fifth scoring 18.1 fast break points per game.
Conversely, both squads are particularly decent at defending the break. The Thunder allow the 10th fewest fast break points per contest at 12.8. Whereas, Toronto gives up 13.1 fast break points per match, good for the 12th least in the association.
In the first meeting, both teams scored more transition points than their average. Toronto posted 28, while, Oklahoma City scored 20. The team who gains the advantage tonight will possess a large edge in the match.
Balance emotion and passion
As the Raptors were building their 19-point lead, head guard Russell Westbrook was becoming rather emotional on the Thunder bench during various timeouts. When the Thunder took a timeout at the 10:38 mark of the third quarter, the 11-year guard threw a towel. Before going on a verbal tirade trying to inspire his team and spark a comeback
Upon resuming play, Russ nailed a 26′ trey, cutting the deficit to 13. The momentum was not sustained for long, as the Raps rattled off five consecutive points. The Thunder did rally to force OT, but either the emotion ran out or they combusted, perhaps a little of both. In order to avoid the same mistake in Toronto tonight, OKC must find the proper balance between good and bad emotional motivation.