First meeting between OKC Thunder – Nuggets: preview

Since December 2nd happened and a decimated OKC Thunder squad got routed by the Grizzlies losing by 73 points things have shifted for the team. Never mind, most who threw shade at OKC ignored two of the three best players didn’t play.

Funny how the Lakers loss to the Suns was punctuated in every article how Anthony Davis wasn’t playing. But they still had LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, etc, etc.

Yeah that’s how things seem to play out but the more intriguing fact is since that match the OKC Thunder are 4-3. They beat the real team who is going out of their way to tank only winning to avoid setting a franchise worst losing mark (Pistons).

But also took down a Raptors team who won five of their last seven games (the two losses by a cumulative three points and one in overtime), the Clippers, and oh yeah the same team who beat them by 73 points.

OKC Thunder face reigning MVP and his Denver Nuggets for first time

Sure, the OKC Thunder are still invested in garnering one of those bottom three seeds to improve their chances of winning the top draft pick. However, the young stars on this team aren’t about to raise the white flag. One need only look at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s response to the Hail Mary 3-pointer by Devonte Graham to confirm that fact.

Still, their opponent this evening presents an incredibly tough task given they haven’t played since Friday (four full days off) and feature the reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic.

Denver have won five of their last eight games. Although the Nuggets are decimated by injuries they remain an elite club that has climbed to the fifth seed and will present a major challenge for the OKC Thunder who looks to extend their mini winning streak to three games in a row.