Tip-Off: 11:30 AM CT

Location: Madison Square Garden (New York City, New York)

Television: Fox Sports Oklahoma

Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal

Twitter: Follow @TheThunderGuys for live-tweets during the game

The Oklahoma City Thunder picked up a much-needed 117-115 victory over the 76ers in Philadelphia on Saturday, but not before a near collapse. After leading for much of the game, the Thunder almost let this one get away, but Paul George would not let that happen as he hit a three and a free throw with just 5 seconds left to put OKC on top for good.

Today, in a special Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day matchup, the Thunder plays the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks have struggled to a 10-34 record, and they are just 4-14 at home, which makes the Thunder 9-point favorites this afternoon.

Today can be a good opportunity for Oklahoma City to get back to some basics on defense and rediscover their identity as the best defensive team in the NBA. The sooner the better for the Thunder because their schedule is incredibly tough moving forward.

Projected Starters

Thunder

• PG: Russell Westbrook
• SG: Terrance Ferguson
• SF: Paul George
• PF: Jerami Grant
• C: Steven Adams

Knicks

• PG: Emmanuel Mudiay
• SG: Tim Hardaway Jr.
• SF: Noah Vonleh
• PF: Kevin Knox
• C: Luke Kornet

Injuries

Thunder

• Alex Abrines (personal) is OUT.
• Andre Roberson (left patellar tendon) is OUT.

Knicks

• Trey Burke (illness) is QUESTIONABLE.
• Kristaps Porzingis (left knee) is OUT.

Head-to-Head

• Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 14-6 against the Knicks (9-2 at home, 5-4 on the road).
• Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series with the Knicks four times and split it six times.
• The Thunder split the season series with the Knick last season 1-1 (1-0 at home, 0-1 on the road).
• The Thunder is 1-0 against the Knick so far this season (1-0 at home, 0-0 on the road).

Game Notes

• The Thunder most recently defeated the 76ers in Philadelphia on Saturday while the Knicks have lost 5 in a row, 13 of the last 14, and 18 of the last 20.
• The Thunder is 5-5 in the last 10 games, and the Knick are 1-9 in their last 10 games.
• Oklahoma City is 13-11 on the road while New York is 4-14 at home.
• Oklahoma City is 11-4 against the Eastern Conference while New York is 4-9 against the Western Conference.
• The Thunder is 15-12 after one day of rest while the Knicks are 0-2 after 3 days of rest.
• The Thunder is 6-1 on Mondays while the Knicks are 1-5.
• The Thunder is 4-5 in January while the Knicks are 1-6.
• Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes
• New York Knicks Official Game Notes

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