Devin Booker v Shai Gilgeous-Alexander:
Devin Booker is averaging 27.1 points per game which is a career-high in his fifth year. In his second year, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 19.5 points which is almost nine more points than his rookie season.
Booker is unlucky to have missed out on All-Star selection so do expect him to be invigorated and ready to put on a show.
Gilgeous-Alexander looks set to be named a rising star and is playing consistent basketball. These two players are amazing to watch and when excelling, their teams prosper.
DeAndre Ayton v Steven Adams:
The Phoenix Suns Center and 2018 number one pick DeAndre Ayton recorded 31 points, nine rebounds, two steals and a block against the Mavericks in only 29 minutes.
He thrives under the rim and is an agile big man who is showing his reliability to get rebounds and score with abundance.
His matchup with big Kiwi Steven Adams is going to be important. Adams’ exertion in the game doesn’t always reflect on the stat sheet but there’s no questioning how significant he is when on the court.
Adams is a tremendous passer and rebounding machine. He does all the dirty work that has major implications for OKC. So this is a matchup to look out for.
Odds predictions:
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
I predict that the OKC Thunder and Phoenix Suns will accumulate more than the predicted 222.5 points as the Suns average 113.1 points per game while the Thunder average 110.5 points.
This makes a total of 223.6 which doesn’t make a whole lot of difference. But I believe there is a scoring masterclass waiting to happen.
Game Specifics
The Venue: Talking Stick Resort Arena
Tipoff: 9:00 PM ET | 8:00 PM CT
TV: FS Oklahoma
Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC
History:
The teams have played each other 40 times in the regular season with the OKC Thunder holding a 28-12 advantage.
Enjoy the game and check back after for player grades and takeaways.