Game #32 Preview | Atlanta Hawks

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

For the first time since Halloween night, the Oklahoma City Thunder sit on the high-side of .500 for the season, and for the first time all season, they have an opportunity to get two games above the even mark as they take on the Atlanta Hawks at home. The Hawks are owners of the league’s worst record, and the Thunder should be able to pick up another big win.

While the Hawks have struggled to find wins all season long, it is certainly not for lack of trying. Atlanta has six players who average double-figures in scoring and a seventh player who is almost there. Point guard Dennis Schroder is the young leader for this team, and he averages 19.4 points and 6.7 assists. He is not a particularly good shooter, though, so the point guard matchup between him and Russell Westbrook could be an interesting one to watch tonight.

Projected Starters

Thunder

  • PG: Russell Westbrook
  • SG: Andre Roberson
  • SF: Paul George
  • PF: Carmelo Anthony
  • C: Steven Adams

Hawks

  • PG: Dennis Schroder
  • SG: Kent Bazemore
  • SF: Taurean Prince
  • PF: Ersan Ilyasova
  • C: Miles Plumlee

Injuries

Thunder

  • None

Hawks

  • Dennis Schroder (ankle injury) is questionable.
  • Mike Muscala (ankle) is out.

Head-to-Head

  • Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 10-7 against the Hawks (5-3 at home, 5-4 on the road).
  • In nine seasons, the Thunder has won the season series with the Hawks three times, lost it twice, and tied four times.
  • The Thunder and the Hawks split their two meetings last season.
  • The two meetings a season ago between the Thunder and Hawks were decided by a total of five points.
  • The Thunder and the Jazz will meet one more time this season on March 13, 2018, in Atlanta.

Game Notes

  • Oklahoma City has won four of its last five, while Atlanta has lost six of its last seven.
  • Oklahoma City is 7-3 in the last ten games, while Atlanta is 3-7.
  • Oklahoma City is 11-4 at home, while Atlanta is 3-13 on the road.
  • Oklahoma City is 7-6 against the Eastern Conference, while Atlanta is 2-6 against the Western Conference.
  • Oklahoma City is 10-9 in games where there is one day of rest, while Atlanta is 4-12.
  • The Thunder and the Hawks rank first and second in the league in opponent turnovers.
  • The Thunder has the fifth-best record in the NBA in December at 8-3.

Be sure to check out our latest episode of Thunder Things with the Thunder Guys.

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

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