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OKC Thunder: Isaiah Roby earns start against Houston Rockets

By Rylan Stiles

Isaiah Roby #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks over Jared Butler #13 of the Utah Jazz during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 20, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Isaiah Roby #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks over Jared Butler #13 of the Utah Jazz during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 20, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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The OKC Thunder get set for their second game of the year taking on the Houston Rockets, this is the final game of a two-game road swing before the Oklahoma City Thunder return home to play in front of their fans for the first time since March 2020. Much like we saw in the preseason, Mark Daigneault is already shuffling the starting five.

During the first three preseason games, the Oklahoma City head coach deployed three different starting units only shuffling the starting center spot. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Lu Dort, Josh Giddey, and Darius Bazley have remained constant starting in every contest the foursome has been active for this season.

OKC Thunder change starting center in matchup based move

After starting Derrick Favors in the season opener against Utah, widely due to his veteran status and the homecoming aspect of the game being in Salt Lake City where Favors spent ten of his 13 years in the association, Mark Daigneault is electing to start Isaiah Roby in the team’s second matchup.

The head ball coach attributed this to a match-up-based decision, as the Houston Rockets are likely to start small and use Daniel Theis as their man in the middle. The second-year bench boss made it clear that Derrick Favors would remain in the rotation for the Oklahoma City Thunder, but instead, come off the bench this time.

Derrick Favors told the media following the season opener, while he wanted to start against Utah for “selfish reasons” he has made it clear to Mark Daigneault that he is more than willing to come off the pine, whatever is best for player development and winning is what the veteran big man will do.

Mark Daigneault also addressed Gabriel Deck who remains out of the rotation for now. The OKC Thunder still value Deck, but the head coach explains there are still parts of the NBA game Deck is getting used to as he works on the transition from overseas basketball to the Association.

It is clear Deck will see time eventually though it does not sound like tonight is the night.

Next. OKC Thunder vs Houston Rockets preview. dark

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