Game #28 Preview | Philadelphia 76ers

The Thunder GuysDecember 15, 2017 No Comments

Tip-Off: 6 PM CT

Location: Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia, PA)

Television: FSOK, ESPN

Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal

Twitter: Follow @TheThunderGuys for live-tweets during the game

 

After winning another close game in the clutch in Indiana on Wednesday, the Oklahoma City Thunder are prepared to take on “The Process” when they play the Philadelphia 76ers tonight. The win over the Pacers makes the Thunder’s record 6-10 in clutch games, a vast improvement from the 1-9 clutch record they had to start the season.

While Oklahoma City has won five of their last seven outings, the Thunder still has a lot of work to do, which is highlighted by the poor shooting from the Big 3 of Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony. The three are shooting a combined 35% over the last seven games. George missed two of those, but even still, none of the three has played particularly well lately.

Philadelphia has been dealing with some struggles of their own, as they lost four straight contests before picking up an overtime win over the Timberwolves in Minnesota. Tonight’s matchup should be interesting as the Thunder boast one of the league’s top defenses, while the 76ers have one of the NBA’s top offenses.

Projected Starters

Thunder

  • PG: Russell Westbrook
  • SG: Alex Abrines
  • SF: Paul George
  • PF: Carmelo Anthony
  • C: Steven Adams

76ers

  • PG: Ben Simmons
  • SG: JJ Redick
  • SF: Dario Šarić
  • PF: Richaun Holmes
  • C: Joel Embiid

Injuries

Thunder

  • Andre Roberson (left ankle sprain) is listed as out, but could end up playing.

76ers

  • Markelle Fultz (right shoulder rehab) is out.
  • Justin Anderson (shin splints) is out.

Head-to-Head

  • Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 16-1 against the 76ers (8-0 at home, 8-1 on the road).
  • In nine seasons, the Thunder has won the season series with the Hornets eight times and split it once.
  • After losing the first ever matchup with the 76ers in Philadelphia in 2008, the Thunder has won the last 16 games. Oklahoma City averages a +13.4 point-differential in those games.
  • The Thunder and the 76ers will meet again on January 28, 2018, in Oklahoma City.
  • Last season on March 22, 2017, Russell Westbrook recorded the first ever triple-double while shooting perfect from the field (6/6).

Game Notes

  • The Thunder has won five of the last seven games, while the 76ers have won just one of their last five.
  • Oklahoma City is 5-5 in the last ten games, while Philadelphia is 4-6.
  • Oklahoma City is 6-4 against the Eastern Conference, while Philadelphia is 8-7 against the Western Conference.
  • Oklahoma City is 7-9 in games when they have one day of rest, while Philadelphia is 2-2 in games when they have two days of rest.
  • Oklahoma City is 4-10 on the road, while Philadelphia is 7-6 at home.
  • Jerami Grant was drafted 39th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He played two full seasons before being traded to Oklahoma City after just two games at the beginning of last season.

Be sure to check out our most recent segment of “Thunder Things with the Thunder Guys.”

Article written by Zack Low. Follow @TheThunderGuys on Twitter & Instagram, and give us a like on Facebook.

Leave a Reply