OKC Thunder seek to avenge recent loss to San Antonio Spurs: preview

The OKC Thunder are looking to avenge the recent loss to the San Antonio Spurs just prior to the break. Gameday previews the matchup.

Last time up the San Antonio Spurs took the game against the OKC Thunder despite the Spurs struggling this season. In the last Spurs preview, I did say never count out a Gregg Popovich coached team and unfortunately, I was correct.

This time the OKC Thunder is in a different position. They have rested after the All-Star break and this is going to make a huge difference. With only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chris Paul having anything to do with the All-Star weekend, others were able to get their bodies right.

In the first game back Steven Adams looked like his old self. He was everywhere on the glass, collecting 17 rebounds to go along with 19 points. He more than doubled his seasons average of 3.0 offensive rebounds, collecting seven at that end.

Second-year guard Gilgeous-Alexander was the only other player to make an impact on the boards collecting nine. He was one rebound and one assist from his second career triple-double against the Denver Nuggets.

Why is it that I bring up the number of rebounds by each player? The Spurs schooled the Thunder on rebounds last game, collecting 46 to 35 which was a big reason the Thunder lost. They also blocked seven shots to the Thunder’s two.

Despite being the lower-ranked team, the Spurs are still a team to be wary of. In their first game back from the break the Spurs took the win against the Jazz in Utah. The Spurs are still looking to make the playoffs and they are not going through the unofficial second half of the season with any other thought in mind.