Tip-Off: 7:30 PM CT
Location: Cheapeake 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 gave up a 19-point third quarter lead in Indiana on Thursday as they dropped a close one to the Pacers, but with just 13 games remaining in the regular season, there is no time to dwell on losses. Now, the Thunder turns their focus to the visiting Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors have a slightly different look since the last time these two teams met back in November. The Warriors were missing Steph Curry to injury, and DeMarcus Cousins had not yet entered the lineup as Oklahoma City destroyed Golden State 123-95 in Oakland. The win remains as the Thunder’s largest of the season. It is also the second-worst loss of the year for the Warriors.
Tonight, however, the Warriors will have Steph and Cousins, and Kevin Durant, who had to miss a game with a sprained ankle, is expected to play. Golden State is comfortable in first in the Western Conference, but Oklahoma City is still in a dog fight for a better seed. Tonight’s game is one of playoff implications, as well as bragging rights in the ongoing rivalry, so tensions will be high and drama is almost certain to break out before the end of the night.
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Russell Westbrook
- SG: Terrance Ferguson
- SF: Paul George
- PF: Jerami Grant
- C: Steven Adams
Warriors
- PG: Steph Curry
- SG: Klay Thompson
- SF: Kevin Durant
- PF: Draymond Green
- C: DeMarcus Cousins
Injuries
Thunder
- Andre Roberson (left patellar tendon) is OUT.
Warriors
- Andrew Bogut (not with team) is OUT.
- Kevin Durant (right ankle sprain) is QUESTIONABLE.
- Damian Jones (left pectoral surgery) is OUT.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 19-19 against the Warriors in the regular season (12-6 at home, 7-13 on the road) and 3-4 in the playoffs (2-1 at home, 1-3 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series with the Warriors 5 times, lost it 3 times, and tied twice.
- Oklahoma City went 2-2 against Golden State last season (1-1 at home, 1-1 on the road).
- The Thunder is 1-1 against the Warriors so far this season (0-0 at home, 1-1 on the road)
- Thunder has won just once against the Warriors in the last 5 regular season matchups at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Game Notes
- The Thunder most recently lost to the Pacers in Indiana on Thursday while the Warriors defeated the Rockets in Houston on Wednesday.
- The Thunder is 4-6 in the last 10 games while the Warriors are 5-5 in the last 10.
- Oklahoma City is 23-9 at home while Golden State is tied for the best road record in the NBA at 22-11.
- Oklahoma City is 25-20 against the Western Conference while Golden State is 28-13 against the Western Conference.
- The Thunder is 24-16 after one day of rest while the Warriors are 11-6 after two days of rest.
- The Thunder is 5-4 (2-2 at home, 3-2 on the road) on Saturdays while the Warriors are 8-3 (4-1 at home, 4-2 on the road).
- The Thunder is 4-4 (2-0 at home, 2-4 on the road) in March while the Warriors are 3-2 (1-2 at home, 2-0 on the road).
- The Thunder is 5-7 (3-2 at home, 2-5 on the road) since the All-Star Break while the Warriors are 5-5 (1-3 at home, 4-2 on the road).
- Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes
- Golden State Warriors Official Game Notes
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