Tip-Off: 7 PM CT
Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena (Oklahoma City, OK)
Television: FSOK
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @TheThunderGuys for live-tweets during the game
The Thunder’s most recent road trip was only three games long, but it seemed a lot longer. Neither Paul George nor Carmelo Anthony played well in their returns to face their former teams, but Oklahoma went 2-1, so it’s safe to say that they fared well. Tonight’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets is key in a number of ways.
For one, the Thunder has not been over .500 since October 31 when they beat the Milwaukee Bucks. A win tonight would get Oklahoma City back to .500 with a chance to get over that hump on Wednesday when the Thunder hosts the Utah Jazz. Another important aspect of this game is that not only is it a Western Conference matchup, but it’s a Northwestern Division game. Oklahoma City currently sits in fourth in the division, so they need this win.
The Denver Nuggets are still without 4x-NBA All-Star Paul Millsap, but Nikola Jokic has made his return to the floor after missing seven games. Steven Adams is going through the proper protocol after sustaining a concussion in the triple-overtime win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night, so he is questionable to play.
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Russell Westbrook
- SG: Andre Roberson
- SF: Paul George
- PF: Carmelo Anthony
- C: Dakari Johnson
Nuggets
- PG: Jamal Murray
- SG: Gary Harris
- SF: Torrey Craig
- PF: Wilson Chandler
- C: Mason Plumlee
Injuries
Thunder
- Steven Adams (concussion protocol) is out.
Nuggets
- Emmanuel Mudiay (right ankle sprain) is questionable.
- Paul Millsap (left wrist ligament injury) is out.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 20-16 against the Nuggets (13-6 at home, 7-10 on the road).
- In nine seasons, the Thunder has won the season series with the Nuggets six times and lost it three times.
- The Thunder has lost two games in a row to the Nuggets.
- The Thunder dropped the first matchup with the Nuggets this season 94-102 in Denver on November 9.
Game Notes
- The Thunder most recently lost to the Knicks on Saturday, while the Nuggets defeated the New Orleans Pelicans in overtime on Friday.
- Oklahoma City is 2-5 against Northwestern Division foes, while Denver is 1-3.
- Oklahoma City is 7-9 against the Western Conference, while Denver is 7-8.
- Oklahoma City is 8-9 in games coming off of one day of rest, while Denver is 2-0 in games when they have two days of rest.
- Oklahoma City is 9-4 at home, while Denver is 5-11 on the road.
- Oklahoma City is 6-4 in the last ten games, while Denver is 5-5.
- The Thunder has a chance to get back to .500 on the season for the sixth time this season. They have been over .500 for only one game all 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.