The Oklahoma City Thunder kicked off their season on Wednesday with an impressive 124-104 win over the Bulls in Chicago. Despite giving up 35 points in the first quarter alone, OKC managed to lock in on defense and slowly build a lead thanks to shooting at a ridiculous clip from downtown as a team.
With just 3 minutes left in the third quarter, the Bulls managed to make it a one-point game, but that is as close as they would get as the Thunder poured it on to take a 9-point lead into the fourth quarter that only grew from there.
OKC continues their short road trip to start the season as they get ready to play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. The Cavs pulled off a 114-113 victory on Wednesday in Brooklyn over the Nets, but they are dealing with some key injuries that leave a little shorthanded in the backcourt as Darius Garland is questionable to play with a strained hamstring. The key matchup to watch will feature two of the league’s star guards as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander faces off with Donovan Mitchell.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 6:30 PM CT
Location: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse (Cleveland, Illinois)
Television: Bally Sports Oklahoma
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live tweets and discussion during the game
Game Notes: Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes, Cleveland Cavaliers Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Josh Giddey
- SF: Luguentz Dort
- PF: Jalen Williams
- C: Chet Holmgren
Cavaliers
- PG: Darius Garland
- SG: Donovan Mitchell
- SF: Max Strus
- PF: Isaac Okoro
- C: Evan Mobley
Injury Report
Thunder
- Jaylin Williams is OUT (strained right hamstring).
- Kenrich Williams is OUT (lower back spasms).
Cavaliers
- Jarrett Allen is OUT (bone bruise in left ankle).
- Darius Garland is QUESTIONABLE (strained left hamstring).
- Ricky Rubio is OUT (not with team).
- Dean Wade is QUESTIONABLE (illness).
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 13-15 against the Cavs (7-8 at home, 6-7 on the road).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder has won the season series against the Cavs 3 times, lost 5 times, and tied 7 times.
- Last season, the Thunder tied the season series with the Cavs 1-1 (1-0 at home, 0-1 on the road).