Tip-Off: 5 PM CT
Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena (Oklahoma City, OK)
Television: ESPN, FSOK
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @TheThunderGuys for live-tweets during the game
Yesterday’s 121-108 win over the Pistons in Detroit was never really close once the Thunder got going, and despite winning the seventh consecutive game, despite Carmelo Anthony reaching the 25,000-point club, and despite Russell Westbrook notching his 15th triple-double of the season, Thunder nation was saddened by the preliminary reports that Andre Roberson will likely miss the rest of the season with a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee. His shoes, especially on the defensive end, will be a challenge to fill, but the Thunder must figure out a way to adjust in order to stay moving up the Western Conference standings.
Meanwhile, things have been going extremely well in Philadelphia. After losing nine out of 10 games at one point, the 76ers have now won 10 of their last 13, and they are slowly climbing the Eastern Conference standings. The last game between these two teams was a hard-fought one to the bitter end as the Thunder edged the 76ers in Philadelphia 119-117 in triple-overtime. Things got testy at times as Joel Embiid was constantly playing the part of provoker, but in the end, the Thunder walked away with the win. Tonight’s matchup could be another heated one, but Oklahoma City’s focus should be nothing more than learning to adjust without Dre and adding another win.
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Russell Westbrook
- SG: Terrance Ferguson
- SF: Paul George
- PF: Carmelo Anthony
- C: Steven Adams
76ers
- PG: Ben Simmons
- SG: Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot
- SF: Robert Covington
- PF:Dario Šarić
- C: Joel Embiid
Injuries
Thunder
- Andre Roberson (ruptured left patellar tendon) is OUT.
76ers
- Markelle Fultz (right shoulder rehab) is OUT.
- JJ Redick (left fibula injury) is OUT.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 17-1 against the Sixers (8-0 at home, 9-1 on the road).
- After losing the first matchup ever with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Oklahoma City Thunder has won the last 17.
- In nine seasons, the Thunder has won the season series with the Sixers eight times and tied it once.
- The Thunder defeated the Sixers 119-117 earlier this season in a triple-overtime thriller in Philadelphia.
- Against the Sixers in the first matchup this season in Philadelphia, Russell Westbrook played a career-high 52 minutes, and Steven Adams played a career-high 51 minutes.
- Russell Westbrook recorded 18 rebounds against the Sixers earlier this season in Philadelphia, the most by a Thunder player this season.
- Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Robert Covington, Dario Šarić, and JJ Redick all recorded career-highs in minutes played against the Thunder earlier this season in Philadelphia.
- The Thunder grabbed 60 rebounds against the Sixers earlier this season in Philadelphia, a season-high for the team.
- The Sixers recorded 36 assists and 50 rebounds against the Thunder earlier this season, both of which are the most by a Thunder opponent all season.
Game Notes
- Oklahoma City has won seven games in a row, the longest active win streak in the NBA, while Philadelphia has won two in a row.
- Oklahoma City is 7-3 in the last 10 games, while Philadelphia is 8-2.
- Oklahoma City is 18-7 at home, while Philadelphia is 12-11 on the road.
- Oklahoma City is 14-7 against the Eastern Conference, while Philadelphia is 12-11 against the Western Conference.
- Oklahoma City is 4-4 in the second game of a back-to-back, while Phildelphia is 17-10 coming off 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.