Tip-Off: 7 PM CT
Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Television: TNT
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @TheThunderGuys for live-tweets during the game
The Oklahoma City Thunder managed to break their three-game losing streak by picking up a 109-104 win over the Pelicans in New Orleans on Sunday, but with only four games left in the season, they have yet to clinch a playoff spot. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors have clinched the two-seed in the West, and with a number of injuries, how much their stars will play is yet to be seen.
After the Warriors, the Thunder has to travel to Houston to play the Rockets on Saturday, followed by the Heat in Miami next Monday before wrapping up the season at home against the Memphis Grizzlies. Two wins should guarantee a playoff spot for Oklahoma City, but they surely would like to do better than that to avoid a tough first round matchup.
While Oklahoma City’s postseason expectations were much higher coming into the season than they are currently, the Thunder has no time to look back. They have to look ahead and do whatever it takes to put themselves in the best position to win moving forward.
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Russell Westbrook
- SG: Corey Brewer
- SF: Paul George
- PF: Carmelo Anthony
- C: Steven Adams
Warriors
- PG: Quinn Cook
- SG: Klay Thompson
- SF: Kevin Durant
- PF: Draymond Green
- C: Kevon Looney
Injuries
Thunder
- Andre Roberson ( left patellar surgery) is OUT.
Warriors
- Stephen Curry (left MCL sprain) is OUT.
- Patrick McCaw (lumbar spine contusion) is OUT.
- Omri Casspi (sprained right ankle) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Andre Iguodala (left knee soreness) is QUESTIONABLE
- Klay Thompson (thumb) is PROBABLE.
- Kevin Durant (rib) is PROBABLE.
- Draymond Green (left elbow strain) is PROBABLE.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 18-17 against the Warriors in the regular season (12-5 at home, 6-12 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 2-1 against Golden State so far this season (1-0 at home, 1-1 on the road).
- All three games between the Thunder and Warriors this season have been decided by at least 17 points.
- Russell Westbrook and Paul George combined for 72 points against the Warriors on February 6.
- Paul George recorded a season-high six steals against the Warriors on February 6 in Oakland.
- The Warriors recorded 36 assists against the Thunder in Oakland on February 24th, the most by a Thunder opponent all season. The Warriors also grabbed 54 rebounds, the second-most by a Thunder opponent all season.
- The Thunder shot a season-low 33% from the field as they scored a season-low 80 points against the Warriors in Oakland on February 24th. Oklahoma City lost by 32 points, their largest margin of defeat this season.
Game Notes
- Oklahoma City defeated the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, while Golden State has won two games in a row.
- Oklahoma City is 6-4 in the last 10 games, and Golden State is 5-5.
- Oklahoma City is 26-13 at home, and Golden State is 27-10 on the road.
- Oklahoma City is 26-23 against the Western Conference, while Golden State is 32-16.
- Oklahoma City is 26-20 after one day of rest, while Golden State is 34-11 in the same situation.
Be sure to tune in at 5:45 PM CT for 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.