Oklahoma City Thunder (4-4) at Brooklyn Nets (5-5)
Tip Off: 5:00pm CST
How To Watch: FSOK
Overview:
Both the Thunder (4-4) and the Nets (5-5) are sitting at an even .500 record as the Thunder has been on a 2 game win streak thus far while the Nets just came off a 115-110 loss vs. the Grizzlies, the kicker? Both Kevin Durant and Kyrie were out for that game.
Game Notes:
The Thunder have two players listed as out for tonight:
Ty Jerome (ankle)
Trevor Ariza (personal)
Mike Muscala is clear to play in this game, but he took a mean shot to the ribs on Friday so we’ll see if he gets a lot of run in this one.
The Nets will have four players out for tonight:
Nicolas Claxton
Spencer Dinwiddie
Tyler Johnson
Kyrie Irving
Kevin Durant was upgraded to available hours before the game, as he was under the health and safety protocols in the league this past week.
Starting Lineups:
—–OKC————————-————–BKN
PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander———Caris LeVert
SG George Hill———————–——-Joe Harris
SF Lu Dort————————-———–Kevin Durant
PF Darius Bazley——————–——-Jeff Green
C Al Horford————————–——-Jarrett Allen
Key Matchup- Lu Dort vs. Kevin Durant
Though Durant’s last game was a week ago exactly, expect the same fire power from the small-forward. In his six games this season he has averaged 28.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 34 minutes of play.
Durant’s scoring ability from everywhere on the floor combined with his 7-foot frame makes him almost impossible to guard. Luckily for the Thunder Lu Dort will be faced off on Durant. If Dort can limit KD’s looks at the basket, it will give the Thunder the boost they need to have a shot at climbing over the peak of .500.
Who to Watch
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SGA dropped a remarkable 25/10/7 in Friday’s game vs. the Knicks, being draped by multiple defenders in the majority of the game. Gilgeous-Alexander will be matched up on Caris Levert, a traditional shooting-guard or at times, small-forward. SGA’s elite speed should allow him to maneuver his way inside but do not downplay Levert’s perimeter defense as he has shown to be one of the best at his position.
Hamidou Diallo
Diallo has been the spark off the bench the Thunder has needed the entire season so far. His outburst of 23 points on Friday had been inevitable. Diallo’s iso-ball offense takes the opposing team off guard and his elite finishing ability around the basket (almost 70% inside 3ft.) makes him a force to be reckoned with. Diallo’s performance on Friday was no fluke, expect to see a lot of shots from Hami.