Tip-Off: 9:30 PM CT
Location: Oracle Arena (Oakland, California)
Television: TNT
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @TheThunderGuys for live-tweets during the game
The Oklahoma City Thunder came out of the All-Star Break playing their best individual quarter of the season when they scored 44 points and opened up a 23-point lead against the Kings in Sacramento on Thursday before nearly melting down. Russell Westbrook was able to hit a game-winner at the buzzer, but the Thunder clearly has some of the same issues they have been dealing with all season. The inconsistency from start to finish, primarily due to a lack of consistent scoring on the bench, needs fixed, and quickly.
Meanwhile, Steph Curry put up 44 points and 10 assists on Thursday as he led the Golden State Warriors to a victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Warriors have had the more successful season by far, but the Thunder has come out on top in two showdowns so far, the most recent coming just a couple of weeks ago.
Since playing on February 6, the Warriors have looked like a much better team, and the Thunder desperately need to find their rhythm early tonight if they want to stand a chance at picking up another win against arguably the best team in the NBA.
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Russell Westbrook
- SG: Josh Huestis
- SF: Paul George
- PF: Carmelo Anthony
- C: Steven Adams
Warriors
- PG: Stephen Curry
- SG: Klay Thompson
- SF: Kevin Durant
- PF: Draymond Green
- C: Javale McGee
Injuries
Thunder
- Andre Roberson (rupture left patellar tendon) is OUT.
Warriors
- Draymond Green (right shoulder soreness) is PROBABLE.
- Jordan Bell (left ankle inflammation) is OUT.
- Patrick McCaw (non-displaced fracture, left wrist) is OUT.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 18-16 against the Warriors in the regular season (12-5 at home, 6-11 on the road) and 3-4 in the playoffs (2-1 at home, 1-3 on the road).
- In nine seasons, the Thunder has won the season series with the Warriors five times, lost it three times, and tied once.
- Oklahoma City is 2-0 against Golden State so far this season (1-0 at home, 1-0 on the road).
- In two games, the Thunder has defeated the Warriors by an average of 18.5 points so far this season.
- Russell Westbrook and Paul George combined for 72 points against the Warriors on February 6.
- The Thunder and the Warriors will meet again on April 3 in Oklahoma City.
- Paul George recorded a season-high six steals against the Warriors on February 6 in Oakland.
Game Notes
- Oklahoma City has won two games in a row, while Golden State most recently defeated the Los Angeles Clippers.
- Oklahoma City is 4-6 in the last 10 games, while Golden State is 6-4.
- Oklahoma City is 14-16 on the road, while Golden State is 23-7 at home.
- Oklahoma City is 19-17 against the Western Conference, while Golden State is 26-11.
- Oklahoma City is 18-17 in games coming off of one day of rest, while Golden State is 28-5 in the same situation.
Article written by Zack Low. Follow @TheThunderGuys on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook.