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OKC Thunder seek 5th win in row, host Kings – preview

By Matthew Hallett

OKC Thunder, NBA Power Rankings W17: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings high-fives teammates (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKC Thunder, NBA Power Rankings W17: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings high-fives teammates (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Buddy ball:

The second key matchup is also in the backcourt with Luguentz Dort taking on the traditional OKC Thunder nemesis, Buddy Hield. Over his career, the former Oklahoma University star scores 17.3 points per game against the Thunder but shoots the ball at 42.1 percent from the floor and 93.8 percent from the line.

He always seems to be able to get hot at the right time to beat the Thunder. However, Hield has been struggling comparatively this season. Yes, he is averaging 20.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. However, he is not as efficient this season.

Hield is shooting 42.9 percent from the floor, 38.7 percent from deep and 84.7 percent from the line. All of these numbers are a regression from his career shooting percentages. This is where Dort comes in to continue the season of struggle for Hield.

Dort has taken some of the most difficult defensive assignments in the NBA this season and has responded extremely well. His combination of speed, size and strength are enough to make some of the best scorers of this generation uncomfortable.

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