OKC Thunder key number 3: Ride the momentum of the bench breakthrough
One of the most impressive aspects of the victory in Cleveland was the bench performance. OKC didn’t just win that battle they pummeled the Cavaliers outscoring them 42 to nine.
Meanwhile, the one thing (besides LeBron James) that kept the Lakers in the match versus Miami was their reserve unit. More specifically, Montrezl Harrell was a factor outscoring the entire Heat bench with 18 of the Lakers’ 25 bench points. The Heat reserves scored 14 points but have players with the potential of big nights such as Tyler Herro.
Clearly, the Heat are a much tougher opponent than the Cavaliers but confidence is an x-factor that can’t be quelled. The adage of ‘next man up’ has been called upon frequently in February and the 42 breatkout versus the Cavaliers is arguably a result of that group getting consistent playing time and rising to the challenge.
Isaiah Roby will probably get the start assuming Horford is sat for rest, meaning the bench gets thinner once again. But, Hamidou Diallo, Mike Muscala, Kenrich Williams, and Justin Jackson will be ready to keep the recent success of the bench humming.
All stats courtesy of basketball reference or NBA Stats.
Game specifics:
Records:
- Thunder: 12-18
- 76ers:13-17
The Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Tipoff: 8:00 PM ET | 7:00 PM CT
TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma | NBA League Pass
Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC
Odds:
Injuries:
OKC Thunder:
- George Hill underwent a procedure on his ailing thumb that will keep him off the court until early March.
- Trevor Ariza (personal) out indefinitely
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- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
Heat:
- Chris Silva (hip) is day-to-day
- Goran Dragic (ankle) is day-to-day
- Avery Bradley suffered a calf injury that has caused him to miss nine games and will keep him out until month-end.
- Meyers Leonard underwent season-ending shoulder surgery.
History:
The teams have played each other 65 times in regular-season history with the OKC Thunder holding a 40-25 advantage.
In the 2019-20 campaign, they met on two occasions splitting the series with each club winning once. This is the second time they’ll play this season with OKC looking to even the series after the Heat won the first contest handily (118-90).
Enjoy the game and check back tomorrow for grades and three takeaways.