OKC Thunder seek to keep momentum rolling: Orlando Magic preview

Keys to the game

The OKC Thunder have been good against teams which are fast tempo teams. Five of the six teams they have played have been against teams that are in the top half of the NBA in this category. In his walk-off interview after the New Orleans game, Chris Paul said it was good to play against this pace as it forces the Thunder to play quicker.

The Magic are 29th in the NBA for pace this season, preferring to play a grinding, smothering defense to slow the opposition down. They also do not allow much transition offense, committing only 13.3 turnovers per game through the first six contests. This is the fourth best number in the NBA.

However, one area where the Magic are letting themselves down is they are last in the NBA in getting to the free throw line, only getting there 18.2 times per game. Last game they sent the Denver Nuggets to the line 39 times. They are also last in the NBA in points per game with an average of just 93.5. The league average is 110.0 per game.

The key matchup for the night is going to be a battle of the bigs. Danilo Gallinari is fast becoming the linchpin of the OKC Thunder offense. It is going to be up to Magic big man Jonathan Isaac to try and stop his shooting, driving, and passing.