Tip-Off: 7:30 PM CT
Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Television: ABC
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @TheThunderGuys for live-tweets during the game
The Oklahoma City Thunder had by far their strongest win since the All-Star Break as they blew out the Phoenix Suns 115-87 on Thursday. It could not have come at a better time, as the Thunder has not played all that well lately, and they desperately need to string together some wins headed into the playoffs.
The Spurs have been a team on the brink of going over the edge for quite some time. Despite being able to stay afloat in the Western Conference standings, the absence of Kawhi Leonard has taken a toll on their record. After going 25-12 through December 30, the Spurs have gone 12-16 since. If the Thunder can play anywhere near the level that they did on Thursday, they should be able to pick up a win at home tonight.
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Russell Westbrook
- SG: Corey Brewer
- SF: Paul George
- PF: Carmelo Anthony
- C: Steven Adams
Spurs
- PG: Patty Mills
- SG: Dejounte Murray
- SF: Kyle Anderson
- PF: LaMarcus Aldridge
- C: Davis Bertans
Injuries
Thunder
- Andre Roberson (rupture left patellar tendon) is OUT.
- Terrance Ferguson (concussion protocol) is OUT.
Spurs
- Pau Gasol (right AC sprain) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Kawhi Leonard (return from injury management) is OUT.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 15-19 against the Spurs in the regular season (10-8 at home, 5-11 away) and 10-8 against them in the playoffs (7-2 at home, 3-6 away).
- In nine seasons, the Thunder has won the season series with the Spurs once, lost it four times, and tied four times.
- The Thunder has won four of the last five regular season games over the Spurs in Oklahoma City, but San Antonio has won four of the last six matchups overall.
- Oklahoma City is 1-1 against San Antonio this season (1-0 at home, 0-1 on the road).
- This is the third of four meetings this season between the Thunder and the Spurs.
- The Thunder and the Spurs will meet again on March 29.
Game Notes
- Oklahoma City recently defeated Phoenix on Thursday, while San Antonio lost to Golden State.
- Oklahoma City is 6-4 in the last 10 games, while San Antonio is 3-7.
- Oklahoma City is 22-11 at home, while San Antonio is 14-20 on the road.
- Oklahoma City is 22-20 against the Western Conference, while San Antonio is 21-18.
- Oklahoma City is 22-18 coming off one day of rest, while San Antonio is 22-13 in the same situation.
- With 15 games left in the season, the Thunder is currently seventh in the Western Conference, only 2.5 games back of third, but only 1.5 games ahead of the teams in eighth through tenth.
- Spurs forward Joffrey Lauvergne played 50 games with the Thunder last season.
- Thunder guard Alex Abrines and Spurs center Pau Gasol are teammates on Spain’s national basketball team.
- Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti was a member of the Spurs front office from 2000–07, where he reached the position of assistant general manager.
Be sure to check out this week’s episode of Thunder Things with the Thunder Guys.
Article written by Zack Low. Follow @TheThunderGuys on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook.