OKC Thunder: 3 keys to finish road trip strong in Phoenix

OKC Thunder key no. 3 – Bench battle

Another area the Thunder could take advantage of is their bench production. Nearing the quarter mark of the season the Thunder rank eighth in scoring with 38.1 points. Phoenix ranks 21st with 34.4 points.

On the glass, the Thunder bench ranks fifth with 18.7 boards while the Suns rank 29th with 12.4 boards. Mark Daigneault should have his reserve unit amped up to crash the boards and turn those situations into second-chance scoring opportunities or take off in transition to bolster their fast break scoring efforts.

Both clubs have had to dig into that reserve unit with players out with injuries. For the Thunder that could mean both their vets (Hill and Horford). Meanwhile, the Suns are expected to be without their star Booker as well as Dario Saric.

Adding to this dilemma is the issues the Suns have had figuring out their starting unit. Jae Crowder has been in and out of the starting rotation. Cameron Johnson was added to the starters group and Mikal Bridges (put him on your most improved list) has also spent some time with the starters but his energy adds so much value to the Suns’ reserve unit.

All stats courtesy of basketball reference or NBA Stats.

Game specifics:

Records:

• Thunder: 7-9
• Suns: 8-7

The Venue: The Phoenix Suns Arena, Phoenix, Arizona

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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Thunder:

• George Hill missed the game versus the Blazers due to a sore thumb and is listed as questionable for Wednesday in Phoenix.
• Al Horford missed the last five games for personal reasons (birth of his daughter) and is listed as out on the injury report.
• Josh Hall is out addressing health and safety protocols.
• Ty Jerome (ankle) – out indefinitely
• Trevor Ariza (personal) out indefinitely

Suns:

• Booker missed the last game versus the Nuggets due to a sore hamstring and is expected to be out again.
• Damian Jones missed the last three games recognizing the health and safety protocols and is listed as questionable.
• Dario Saric missed the last three games dealing with health and safety protocols and is considered out Wednesday.

History:

The teams have played each other 242 times in regular-season history with the Suns holding a 128-114 advantage. Last season the clubs played on three occasions with the Thunder taking two of their contests in the regular-season series.

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