OKC Thunder: 3 keys to victory versus the Nuggets

OKC Thunder need to start the road trip strong!

Through a dozen games, the Thunder has already checked off more boxes than most analysts or fans might’ve expected.

They’ve feasted on the road, won in overtime and in consecutive games, and finally got the win that was alluding them at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

While I noted up top how this squad will likely stop winning at their current clip it doesn’t mean Mark Daigneault doesn’t want them continuing (or establishing) good habits.

One of those habits will be to always bring consistently strong effort on the road. This group has smashed that objective to date.  It would be amazing for the Thunder to capitalize on the Nuggets’ slow start to the season with a victory. However, this Nuggets team has the advantage of constancy, altitude, and a group that is expected to make a deep run in the 2021 playoffs.

For that reason, if the Thunder can keep the score close and make it a competitive game that should also be considered a positive.

All stats courtesy of basketball reference or NBA Stats.

Game specifics:

Records:

• Thunder: 6-6
• Nuggets: 6-7

The Venue:  Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado

Tipoff:  9:00 PM ET  | 8:00 PM CT

TV: Fox Sports  Oklahoma | NBA League Pass

Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC

Odds:

Injuries:

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• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

As the league continues to deal with the pandemic it has avoided the OKC Thunder for the most part (thankfully). Although the Thunder already has two matches they’ll need to make up in the second half of the schedule after the 76ers had to cancel their game on Sunday.

Thunder:

• Al Horford missed the last two games for personal reasons and is once again expected to be out for the match versus the Nuggets.
• Ty Jerome (ankle) – out indefinitely
• Trevor Ariza (personal) out indefinitely

Nuggets:

• Michael Porter Jr. has missed nine consecutive games while addressing the NBA health and safety protocols. While he’s expected back this week he’s listed as out for Tuesday.
• Greg Whittington has a left knee sprain that will keep him out indefinitely.

History:

The teams have played each other 184 times in regular-season history with the Thunder holding a 99-85 advantage. Last season the clubs played on three occasions with the Nuggets taking two of the three matches.

Enjoy the game and check back tomorrow for grades and three takeaways.