OKC Thunder open back-to-back versus champion Bucks – preview

The OKC Thunder continues to be competitive exacting revenge on the Rockets Wednesday prior to the three-game mini road trip East.

The youngsters will face two desperate squads in the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics who always seem to end up delivering a dramatic game versus OKC.

OKC Thunder catch defending champion Bucks just as they get healthy

Starting with the Bucks they’ve dealt with constant injuries this season although the Thunder won’t have that advantage as Khris Middleton returned on Wednesday after missing eight games due to COVID.

With Middleton’s return, it represented just the third game of 15 that the trio of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday and were all available to start. Brook Lopez has only played in the opening night match and Donte DiVincenzo has yet to play since suffering ligament damage in his ankle in the first round of the playoffs.

So while teams have struggled missing one or two starters a game here or there the Bucks have literally been decimated which is why no one is really stressing out about their record.

Milwaukee has won three of their last five games and if that trio can remain healthy they should be poised to start putting together a string of wins. The most recent victory was versus the Lakers on Wednesday (albeit LeBron James didn’t play).

Meanwhile, the OKC Thunder continue to demonstrate their competitive spirit having won five of their last seven. At some point, presumably, a decision has to be made on whether the Thunder will raise the red flag and make concerted efforts to tank.

Those decisions have to be made soon because if they keep winning now they’ll need to lose more later. Especially, if to reiterate the goal is to garner the top draft pick and prime lottery position.