Tip-Off: 7 PM CT
Location: Spectrum Center (Charlotte, North Carolina)
Television: ESPN, FSOK
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @TheThunderGuys for live-tweets during the game
The Oklahoma City Thunder extended their winning streak to three last night as they knocked off the Hornets in Charlotte 111-107. Russell Westbrook nearly tallied a triple-double, and Alex Abrines went off for a career-high 25 points, while Paul George’s shooting woes continued. After the game, George discussed how he’s been playing with a nerve issue in his foot since the preseason (Erik Horne of The Oklahoman wrote about it here).
The Thunder take on the Wizards in Washington, D.C., tonight for the second half of a back-to-back. The Wizards are experiencing some unprecedented struggles for them compared to recent years, and they currently sit at 1-6 on the season. Their lone win came against the Trailblazers in Portland in overtime.
Tonight, the Thunder will look to extend their winning streak, while the Wizards will try to just win a game. The Wizards are a talented team and have one of the best backcourts in basketball between John Wall and Bradley Beal, but Otto Porter Jr. has not played to his potential so far this season, and newly acquired Dwight Howard has not played, but he will make his debut tonight.
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Russell Westbrook
- SG: Terrance Ferguson
- SF: Paul George
- PF: Jerami Grant
- C: Steven Adams
Wizards
- PG: John Wall
- SG: Bradley Beal
- SF: Otto Porter Jr.
- PF: Markief Morris
- C: Ian Mahinmi
Injuries
Thunder
- Andre Roberson (left patellar tendon) is OUT.
Wizards
- Markief Morris (concussion protocol) is QUESTIONABLE.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 13-6 against the Wizards (9-0 at home, 4-6 on the road).
- The Thunder has won the season series with the Wizards four times, lost it once, and tied five times.
- The Thunder has won six of the last eight games against the Wizards, but they have lost the last two in Washington, D.C.
- Steven Adams grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds against the Wizards in Washington on January 21, 2015.
Game Notes
- Oklahoma City is 1-2 on the road, while Washington is 0-2 at home.
- Oklahoma City is 1-1 against the Eastern Conference, while Washington is 1-3 against the Western Conference.
- This is the first time the Thunder has played the second game of a back-to-back all season, while Washington is coming off two days of rest for the first time all season.
- The Thunder continue to be one of the worst shooting teams in the NBA shooting 42.8% from the field (27th), 26.5% from three (30th), and 67.3% from the free throw line (28th).
- The Wizards have one of the worst defenses allowing 122.4 per game, and they have a +/- of -10.6, which is 28th in the NBA.
- Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes
- Washington Wizards Official Game Notes
Be sure to follow @TheThunderGuys on Twitter and Instagram and like us on Facebook, and don’t forget to check out our latest episode of Thunder Things with the Thunder Guys on YouTube or Facebook.