OKC Thunder look for revenge in Orlando as they begin 5-game road trip

The OKC Thunder begins a five-game road trip finishing up their season series versus the Orlando Magic. Here’s what you need to know heading to the tipoff.

Four games into the OKC Thunder season things are going as expected. This young team is playing competitive ball but losing more than winning. That’s also exactly what Thunder Nation should want from their squad as they spy the draft picks sitting in Sam Presti’s closet.

Thunder fans are also secretly pulling for the Golden State Warriors to finish the season ranked in the top-10 so their 2021 first-round draft pick conveys to OKC this season.

Mark Daigneault has assumed the lead role on the coaching front and is giving hints of what the future holds with the positionless ball a focus.

We’re still getting acquainted with many on the new roster with only six returning members of last season’s squad. Virtually everything but the identity and culture of the franchise have changed.

Aside from cornerstone Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the entire starting lineup that began last season is gone. Chris Paul and Abdel Nader were traded to the Suns, Danilo Gallinari is with the Hawks, Terrance Ferguson was traded to the 76ers, and our beloved Big Kiwi, Steven Adams is no doubt consuming copious amounts of Beignets in New Orleans. You have to hand it to Sam Presti as he made sure each player who exited landed on a team that has a shot of a deep run into the postseason.

OKC Thunder versus Orlando Magic game preview:

This is the second meeting between the Thunder and Magic as they wrap up the season series early. Orlando took the initial meeting behind a concerted effort from Magic big man Nikola Vucevic.

Starting rotation:

Notable in the loss is the Thunder played without Al Horford who sat for rest and George Hill who experienced neck spasms and was also held out. For this evening’s match, both are expected to be back in the rotation. The matchup of Horford versus Vucevic will be critical and could determine who wins the contest.

Given Horford and Hill’s expected return, it should equate to the typical starting 5 including SGA, Luguentz Dort, and Darius Bazley.

Reserves:

The bench produced 30 points in the loss to the Pelicans but Daigneault is still searching to find rotational lineups that have chemistry. Part of his issues will be tied to ensuring the rookies (Theo Maledon and Aleksej Pokusevski) get playing time so they can develop and gain experience. Again, in a season where the mandate is losing the coach will prioritize development over winning.

Bounce Back Game:

The loss to the Pelicans was ugly with only veterans Horford (17) and Mike Muscala (10) reaching double-figures. Gilgeous-Alexander had an off night, arguably his worst of the early season. Ditto for Darius Bazley who has looked solid in the games prior.

Both failed to reach double figures and posted the worst plus/minus – –  SGA (-14) and Bazley (-11) of the starters.

As noted, the matchup of Horford on Vucevic is key given the Magic big man registered a double-double of 28 points and 10 rebounds in their earlier win over the Thunder.  Another matchup to keep an eye on is Darius Bazley on Aaron Gordon. The latter got the better of the Thunder youngster in the initial match but Baz has proven to be the type of player who learns quickly so watch for him to win that matchup.

Helping their cause could be the untimely injuries the Magic suffered in their first loss of the season which came at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers. Evan Fournier and Chuma Okeke were both forced to leave the game versus the 76ers with back spasms and a knee bone bruise respectively.

Game Specifics:

The Venue: Amway Center

Tipoff:  7:00 PM ET  | 6:00 PM CT

TV: Fox Sports  Oklahoma | NBA League Pass

Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC

Odds:

Injuries:

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

A host of players are out (or listed as questionable.

Thunder:

• Darius Miller (Achilles) is questionable
• Ty Jerome (ankle) – out
• Trevor Ariza (personal) out.

Magic:

• Terrence Ross (hamstring) is probable
• Evan Fournier (back) is questionable
• Chuma Okeke (knee) questionable
• James Ennis (calf) out
• Mo Bamba (COVID-19 recovery) out
• Al-Farouq Aminu (knee) out
• Jonathan Isaac (knee) out

History:

The teams have played each other 63 times in regular-season history with the Thunder holding a 39-24 advantage. Last season the teams played twice with the Thunder taking both matches.

Check back after the match for Intentions grades and three takeaways.