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Thunder's previous game: The Thunder man handled the Dallas Mavericks on Monday after an impressive all-around performance by the Thunder and specifically their defense. Oklahoma City held Dallas to just 41% shooting and 18% from beyond the arc. Dallas turned the ball over 14 times for 23 Thunder points, and was absolutely demolished in the fast break - out scored by the Thunder 25-11. Oklahoma City lead by as many as 33 points, and the Thunder Starters didn't play a minute of the fourth quarter.
Last meeting with Golden State: The Warriors over came the Thunder after a fourth quarter surge, where they were able to hold the Thunder to only 33% shooting and forced 6 turn overs. The game was close throughout all quarters, but OKC folded in the final minutes of the game - giving up an 8 point lead midway through the fourth and allowing the Warriors to go on a 24-11 run to steal the game.
Russell Westbrook had a regrettable shooting performance - going 3-16 in the game for just 10 points, and turning the ball over 6 times compared to just 4 assists. Despite having 5 players score in double figures, the Thunder were never able to pull ahead of the Warriors and a lot had to do with turning the ball over 19 times for 24 points - as each starting Thunder player had at least 5 turn overs.
Golden State is coming off a blow out 140-109 loss to the Houston Rockets after the Rockets tied the NBA record for most three pointers made in a game as a team at 23. Houston had 8 players score in double figures and 9 players make at least 1 three pointer. The Warriors were no where near as effective from outside - shooting only shooting 20% from the three as well as turning the ball over 12 times for 18 points. Jarrett Jack was the only player to score 20 or more points for the Warriors, shooting 7-14 to go along with 5 assists, as their star player in Stephen Curry wasn't too hot coming off an injury - going 3-12 for just 7 points.
The Warriors are on of the best rebounding teams in the league, ranking fourth in the league and averaging an impressive 44.6 a game. That's not all though - as the Warriors are also first in the league from beyond the arc and can certainly light it up in a hurry, averaging 39%. It will be important for Oklahoma City to have good fundamentals tonight in order for them to avoid another loss to the Warriors.
Thunder Essentials:
Controlling the glass - The Thunder have to be able to use their size and strength in order to out rebound the Warriors - something they have been good at at times, and not so good at at others.
Defending the 3 pointer - Golden State is absolutely deadly from beyond the arc, and a lot of that has to do with Stephen Curry - who is averaging 45.3% from the 3 and is second in that department in the league. That's not their only weapon from the three, though. The Warriors possess all of the top 5 players in the 3-pt % category - so any given night you can expect them to let it rip.
Fastbreak - When the Thunder get out and run in transition, good things happen. They rank 6th in the league in fast break points a game, averaging 16.3. Tonight it will be important for Oklahoma City to get out and run in transition - and to be efficient while doing so.
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