OKC Thunder forage for first win against Nuggets, aiming to avoid season sweep

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: Hamidou Diallo, Deonte Burton
Small Forward: Abdel Nader
Power Forward: Patrick Patterson, Markieef Morris
Center: Nerlens Noel

Injury Notes:

Andre Roberson: Avulsion Fracture – out indefinitely.

Paul George: Questionable (left shoulder soreness)

Nuggets Starters

Point Guard: Jamal Murray
Shooting Guard: Gary Harris
Small Forward: Will Barton
Power Forward: Paul Millsap
Center: Nikola Jokic

Nuggets Bench

Point Guard: Isaiah Thomas, Monte Morris, Brandon Goodwin
Shooting Guard: Malik Beasley
Small Forward: Torrey Craig
Power Forward: Trey Lyles, Juan Hernangomez, Jarred Vanderbilt, Tyler Landon
Center: Mason Plumlee, Thomas Welsh

Injury Notes:

Michael Porter Jr.: Back –  Likely out for the season

Game Specifics

Fan Data:

The Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
The Tip: 7:00 PM CST (8:00 EST)
TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma
Radio: Oklahoma City – WWLS 98.1FM OKC / 930AM (ESP) and League Pass Audio

Closing Thoughts

This will be a high tension contest going in, with playoff implications for both squads. The Nuggets are fighting for the first seed, and the Thunder are clawing for home-court in the first round. Expect chippiness to occur, the Thunder, specifically Westbrook has ongoing feuds with Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

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Since he was suspended, Westbrook has not picked up another technical foul he may do so tonight. If he is not handed his 17th tech, the match will serve as a growing moment, because in the past Russ would definitely pick up a tech in this contest.

In conclusion, the Nuggets are on the second night of a back-to-back, having faced James Harden and his Houston Rockets last night. Oklahoma City took advantage of the Blazers twice this season, as Portland was coming off a back-to-back set. The same result is necessary inside the Peake tonight.

Enjoy the game Thunder Nation, if you will be in attendance this evening be safe, behave, have fun, get loud and Thunder Up!