OKC Thunder embroiled in the calm before the storm

The final four

The OKC Thunder now have four games remaining before the playoffs start, each one successively more difficult than the previous contest. Thank goodness for that, as Oklahoma City has a history of playing to the level of its competition. Ideally, the Thunder will rise up to meet the challenge and ascend up the standings for a more preferable first-round series, but it won’t be a walk in the park.

First up will be the Detroit Pistons, who are battling it out for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference with the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat. Oklahoma City last faced off against Detroit on the road in early December, a game in which the Thunder demolished the Pistons 110-83.

Second, OKC will travel to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves. Though the Timberwolves have mostly served as one of the league’s punching bags, they nonetheless have the Thunder’s number with three previous wins against OKC this season. This will be Oklahoma City’s final opportunity to avoid being swept by another division foe.

The Houston Rockets then come to town in the hopes of maintaining their positive momentum in what has been another stellar season for them. Oklahoma City leads this year’s series with Houston 2-1, including a thrilling comeback win in early February. This game would be a major confidence booster for the OKC Thunder should they garner another victory over the red men.

Last but not least, OKC will hit the road to take on the league leading Milwaukee Bucks. Their last contest was in OKC, a game in which a slow first half built up into a thrilling victory for the Thunder. Oklahoma City should approach this final regular season game as its tone-setter for how the Thunder hope to perform in the playoffs.