OKC Thunder finish weekend road trip versus Toronto Raptors: preview

The OKC Thunder are on fire in December and finish a mini road trip in Toronto taking on the defending champion Raptors. Gameday breaks it down.

The OKC Thunder have played shorthanded over the past few games. Danilo Gallinari has missed three games in a row after injuring his ankle. He joined Hamidou Diallo who remains on the injured list due to a hyperextended elbow sustained versus the Lakers. While Andre Roberson still hasn’t played this season as he continues to recover from his knee injury. 

This is nothing compared to the Toronto Raptors whose locker room has only just welcomed back Kyle Lowry and ex OKC Thunder player Serge Ibaka. When they returned Fred VanVleet sat injured and in one night lost Marc Gasol, Pascal Siakam and Norman Powell who all remain out indefinitely. Since game seven of the season, Toronto hasn’t played a game without at least two of their top seven players being out injured.

Like the Thunder, the Raptors have kept winning. They are still sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference despite missing the majority of their starters for lengthy periods the entirety of the season.

These teams are also the holders of the two largest comebacks of the season. The Thunder set the mark at 26 against the Chicago Bulls. This was beaten by the Raptors less than a week later when they came back from 30 against the Dallas Mavericks.

The catalyst for these comebacks is the defense employed by both teams. In my role at Thunderous Intentions, I get to watch most teams in the NBA. The two most exciting defenses to watch are the Raptors and the Thunder. When locked in they are both great to watch.

The other key to the comebacks has been the floor leadership of the two point guards. Chris Paul has been incredible all season, his leadership, game management, and skill have led to OKC Thunder victories. Likewise, Kyle Lowry is a massive part of what the Raptors do.