Tip-Off: 7 PM CT
Location: Talking Stick Resort Arena (Phoenix, AZ)
Television: FSOK
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @TheThunderGuys for live-tweets during the game
After failing to finish 2017 on a high note, the Oklahoma City had Thunder has kicked off 2018 with a bang. A road trip is not exactly the ideal way to start of the year, but the Thunder has won consecutive games on the road by double digits, and they have a good opportunity to continue their strong play against the Suns in Phoenix tonight.
The Suns have had an interesting season so far, which has featured plenty of ups and downs. The most notable moment for Phoenix so far this year was when they traded Eric Bledsoe away to the Milwaukee Bucks. At that point, the Suns were 4-7, and Bledsoe had only played in three of those games. Since the move, the Suns are 11-19, which is basically the same win percent, but the overall morale in Phoenix has improved dramatically.
Oklahoma City is clearly the more talented team, while Phoenix is young and has a bright future ahead, but as long as the Thunder continues to play with intensity on both ends of the court, they should have no trouble finishing off this three-game road trip with another win.
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Russell Westbrook
- SG: Terrance Ferguson
- SF: Paul George
- PF: Carmelo Anthony
- C: Steven Adams
Suns
- PG: Tyler Ulis
- SG: Devin Booker
- SF: Josh Jackson
- PF: Marquese Chriss
- C: Tyson Chandler
Injuries
Thunder
- Andre Roberson (left patellar tendonitis) is OUT.
- Alex Abrines (right groin strain) is OUT.
Suns
- Isaiah Canaan (left abductor strain) is QUESTIONABLE.
- T.J. Warren (illness) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Brandon Knight (left ACL tear) is OUT.
- Alan Williams (right meniscus repair) is OUT.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 21-11 against the Suns (13-4 at home, 8-7 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series against the Suns six times, tied once, and lost twice.
- The Thunder split the season series with the Suns 2-2 a year ago.
- Oklahoma City has lost the last two matchups with Phoenix, but the Thunder won the previous six games.
- This is the first of three matchups this season between the Thunder and the Suns.
- Russell Westbrook recorded a career-high 22 assists against the Suns last season on December 17, 2016, in Oklahoma City.
Game Notes
- Oklahoma City is on a two-game win streak, both wins coming by double digits. Phoenix is on a two-game losing streak, both losses coming by double digits.
- Oklahoma City is 8-2 in the last 10 games, while Phoenix is 5-5.
- Oklahoma City is 8-11 on the road, while Phoenix is 8-12 at home.
- Oklahoma City is 13-10 against the Western Conference, while Phoenix is 9-15.
- Oklahoma City is 4-2 coming off two days of rest, while Phoenix is 7-14 in games where there is one day of rest.
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 like us on Facebook.