OKC Thunder: 3 keys to seize victory versus Lakers in rematch

Game specifics:

Records:

• Thunder: 10-13
• Lakers: 19-6

The Venue: Staples Center

Tipoff:  10:00 PM ET  | 9:00 PM CT

TV: Fox Sports  Oklahoma | NBA League Pass

Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC

Odds:

Injuries:

The Thunder played with just the minimum of eight players dressed. Part of the reason behind their thin roster is several players were sent down to the G-League affiliate OKC Blue. Typically, that wouldn’t present much of a problem but with the pandemic, it means the team can’t easily call a player up since they would need to be put in quarantine before they could play.

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Thunder:

• Theo Maledon was out Monday and referenced as addressing health and safety protocols. The oddity of this note is he missed a game last week for the same reason but played the game after.
• Mike Muscala missed the game Monday in the concussion protocol program and is likely to be out Wednesday.
• Isaiah Roby missed the last few matches nursing a foot injury and is listed as day-to-day.
• George Hill had a procedure done to his thumb that will keep him out until early to mid-March.
• Trevor Ariza (personal) remains out indefinitely

Lakers:

• Anthony Davis is dealing with Achilles tendinosis and will likely be kept out again as the Lakers take no chances on him worsening the injury.
• Jared Dudley remains out dealing with a calf injury and no timetable for return.
• Kostas Antetokounmpo is suffering from right knee tendinitis and has no definitive return date.

History:

The teams have played each other 255 times in regular-season history with the Lakers holding a 148-107 advantage. Last season the Lakers won three of the four contests between the squads and took the initial meeting on January 13th (128-99) this season.

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