OKC Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns, 2019-20 team preview

Contract Situation by category:

Guaranteed: Devin Booker, Tyler Johnson, Elie Okobo, Mikal Bridges, Kelly Oubre Jr. , Deandre Ayton, Jevon Carter, Jalen Lecque, Ricky Rubio, Cheick Diallo, Dario Saric, Frank Kaminsky,
Aron Baynes, Ty Jerome, Cameron Johnson

Non/Partial Guaranteed: None

Two-Way Contracts: Jared Harper

Unsigned or on Exhibit 10: David Kramer| Tariq Owens | Norense Odiase

Thunder performance vs. Suns in 2018-19

The OKC Thunder holds a 14-4 record over the past five years including a sweep in 2018-19.

October 28, 2018, OKC Thunder versus Phoenix Suns, Win: 117 – 110
Russell Westbrook/Paul George 23 points, TJ Warren/Elie Okobo 18 points

November 12, 2018, OKC Thunder versus Phoenix Suns, Win: 118 – 101
Paul George 32 points, TJ Warren 21 points

November 17, 2018, OKC Thunder at Phoenix Suns, Win: 110 – 100
Paul George 32 points, TJ Warren 23 points

December 28, 2018, OKC Thunder at Phoenix Suns, Win: 118 – 102
Russell Westbrook 23 points, Devin Booker 25 points

Suns Games versus OKC Thunder in 2019-20:

Away Game: Friday, January 31, 2020, at 9:00 p.m. EST

Home Game: Friday, December 20, 2019, 8:00 p.m. EST

Home Game: Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. EST

Marquee matchup: Deandre Ayton versus Steven Adams

What to expect in the three matches versus Suns this season:

The matches between the Suns and Thunder over the years have delivered some of the more dramatic outings.  Everyone will remember Russell Westbrook’s game versus the Suns when he pulled out the shammgod assist on route to a 22 assist night.  Or night’s when the teams got into heated exchanges like the night in 2014 when Westbrook was ejected.

Without Westbrook on the team, it will be interesting to see if the rivalry is still in place but for this year’s iteration of the OKC Thunder, the main focus should be taking advantage of teams you should be beating. For as much talent as there is on the Suns roster they are still extremely young and have yet to figure out a way to net victories.

More from Thunderous Intentions

• Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
• Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Monty Williams already seems to have made an impression on his club as a recent preseason game showed when every player on the court ran to help up a teammate who had fallen. Those are basic team fundamentals and clearly Williams in injecting that mindset.

What will be interesting to see is what type of offense Willams employs with his young squad. Williams is more of a defensive minded coach and in his past coaching gigs, he ran more of a slower paced offense. But for the Suns to take advantage of the young roster an increased pace with a run and gun style makes more sense.

Also, expect this Suns team to be much more focused on the defensive side of the court if Williams gets the teams buy in.  Last season the Suns ran the 12th ranked pace in the association.

As for matchups presumably Andre Roberson will be tasked with slowing Bender while Steven Adams is likely to draw the assignment of guarding Ayton.

Of note, the OKC Thunder didn’t get any favors from the scheduling gods as most of the teams expected to perform poorly the club will play fewer times and ones expected to be among the elite they play the maximum amount of times (except of course the Rockets who only visit OKC once this year).

Two of the meetings occur prior to the trade deadline and the other happens on April Fools Day. Hopefully, that’s not a precursor for the game itself.

Despite both teams being in a pivotal repositioning year it may seem bold but I’m predicting the Thunder to sweep the Suns and at worst take the series two games to one.