OKC Thunder: 3 keys to avoid franchise worst 15th straight loss
Not since the inaugural season of the OKC Thunder franchise have they entered a game on the precipice of losing their 15th game in a row. That is the reality the team faces this evening in Boston. A loss to the Celtics would set a new record in futility for the franchise.
Sure the Thunder are actively investing in tanking for better draft lottery odds. But, the question is whether the franchise will want to hang that title on this new era of the Thunder. Would winning one extra game be so bad?
On the other hand, with Detroit winning on Monday, another loss by the Thunder could pull them within one loss of the Pistons for the fourth-worst record. The difference between finishing 26th versus 27th increases their odds for the top draft pick from 10.5 percent to 12.5 percent.
I’m not convinced Mark Daigneault and his club won’t come out trying to get the victory.
Like many teams the Thunder are playing down the stretch the Celtics plan to rest at least two of their big three and that could be all the motivation the Thunder need.
OKC Thunder versus Boston Celtics – everything you need to know
The NBA injury report states the Celtics will sit both Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker due to an ankle impingement and oblique injury. Granted their injuries are certainly real, but would they be out if the opponent was the Nets or 76ers?
To wit, Walker got the injury in the second quarter but played the remainder of the game unabated.
This is the fine line coach Daigneault is walking with his team. Getting used to losing is never something you want the players to get comfortable with. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s presence would definitely change the dynamic there’s no guarantee his return would suddenly shift the team’s ability to just snap back to winning.
OKC Thunder versus Boston Celtics, 3 keys:
- Watch to see whether Luguentz Dort plays. That will be an indicator of whether the Thunder wants to try to be more competitive.
- With Tatum and Walker out the Thunder needs to put extra focus on Jaylen Brown who has come into his own as a two-way player this season. If Dort plays expect him to be matched up on Brown.
- Another matchup to key on is the two rookie guards. Payton Pritchard has provided the Celtics with solid contributions this season often playing a larger role when Walker is out. He’ll offer a great litmus test for Theo Maledon.
Game specifics:
Records:
- Thunder: 20-41
- Celtics 32-29
The Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Tipoff: 7:00 PM ET | 6:00 PM CT
TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma | NBA League Pass
Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC
Injuries:
OKC had not submitted its report for Tuesday as of this posting. Therefore Intentions is reiterating the same list from Monday, but have there is a possibility Dort could be in the lineup as outlined above.
Thunder:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will miss his 18th consecutive game with plantar fasciitis
- Al Horford and Thunder mutually agreed to shut him down for the season.
- Mike Muscala remains out with an ankle injury.
- Luguentz Dort is listed as out with the hip strain that has nagged him.
- Josh Hall has knee soreness and expected to remain out.
- Gabriel Deck hasn’t joined the team since being signed.
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- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
Celtics:
- Jayson Tatum has a left ankle impingement and is ruled out
- Kemba Walker suffered a left oblique strain in the last game and won’t play
- Robert Williams III is dealing with left knee soreness and is questionable to play Tuesday.
History:
All-time the squads have faced each other 138 times in regular-season history. Boston possesses the advantage of having won 75 of those matches versus the Thunder winning 63. over the franchise’s history.
This is the second and final time the clubs will play in the 2020-21 season. In the initial meeting on March 27th, the Celtics won 111-94.
Recalling last season, each team won on the road with Chris Paul providing one of the most exciting clutch time moments of the season.
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