Golden State Warriors Play Oklahoma City Thunder in Potential Playoff Preview
By Greg Chin
Before the season started, the Oklahoma City Thunder were projected to be one of the best teams in the Western Conference. Many tipped them to win the West, and some even had them winning it all. However, major injuries to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook derailed their start to the season, and the Thunder found themselves 4-12 before Westbrook returned from his broken hand.
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Since then, the Thunder have gone 14-8 – which is a respectable record, but find themselves 11th in the West. It’s hard to imagine a team with Durant and Westbrook missing the playoffs, but it could very well be a reality if their season continues this way.
In an attempt to bolster their chances of making the playoffs, the front office traded for Dion Waiters – the talented but difficult-to-coach shooting guard from the Cleveland Cavaliers. They have also been linked with making a trade for Brooklyn Nets’ big man Brook Lopez. It’s clear that the organization is well and truly in “panic mode”.
The Warriors, on the other hand, are in a completely different mood. They have the best record in the NBA, and haven’t been linked with making any moves before the trade deadline expires. Everything is going well for the Warriors, who have won eight games in a row after comfortable defeating the Miami Heat.
The last time the two teams met, the Dubs won handily, using their defense to hold Durant and Westbrook to just 36 points on 8-of-37 shooting. The Warriors have won all three games played between the two teams this season, and will look to sweep the series before playing against the Houston Rockets the next night.
This game might have an extra edge to it, as the Thunder are desperate and hungry for a win. It could also serve as a preview for a potential playoffs series, as both teams are on the Thunder are pushing for the eighth seed, while the Warriors will want to solidify their position atop the West.
Key Matchups
Klay Thompson vs. Russell Westbrook. Thompson will get the main task of defending Westbrook, despite playing a different position. The last time the two teams met, Klay did an exceptional job and didn’t allow Westbrook to make a single field goal while Klay was on him. The key here is to stay in front of him and force him to take jump shots and force the issue. Klay struggled with foul trouble the last time the two played, so keeping the foul count low would be a nice plus.
Harrison Barnes vs. Kevin Durant. Last season’s MVP is rounding into form, averaging 28.7 points per game over his last ten games. Barnes will have this defensive assignment and it will be up to him to hold off the reigning MVP. Denying him the ball will reduce Durant’s impact significantly, but that’s easier said than done. Good luck, Black Falcon.
Steve Kerr vs. Scott Brooks. Funny what a coach who knows his Xs and Os can do for your team. Scott Brooks and former Warriors’ coach Mark Jackson are cut from the same cloth: both are great man motivators but poor tactical coaches. After cutting loose Jackson, the Warriors have soared under Kerr and his free-flowing offense. His tactical nous will be important in tonight’s battle, and it could be the deciding factor between the two teams.
Keys to the Game
- Defense!
The Warriors are the best defensive team in the league, allowing just 96.6 points per 100 possessions. They are also the best team at limiting opponent’s field goal percentage, limiting them to 42 percent. The Thunder have two of the best scorers in the game, and keeping those two in check will go a long way to helping them win.
- #FullSquad
The Warriors are one of the deepest teams in the league, while the Thunder have a motley crew of dysfunctional players masquerading on their bench. In Reggie Jackson and Dion Waiters, they have two of the most iso-heavy players in the league, and Kendrick Perkins runs like he’s wearing steel toe boots. When the starters are sitting, it will be up to the second unit to keep up the tempo, and help turn the screws on the Thunder.
- Defend the Boards
The Thunder are second in the league in rebounds per game, while the Warriors are eighth. The Dubs struggled on the boards against the Miami Heat and the Utah Jazz in their past two games, with no Warrior grabbing more than 10 rebounds in any of the two games. Everyone will have to be on their best rebounding game tonight, and limit the Thunder’s second chance points – they are fifth in the league for offensive rebounds.
Prediction
The Thunder are a dangerous team when everything is clicking, and have showed signs of that happening lately. Westbrook and Durant could explode for 40 points each on any given night, and there are a litany of reasons why the Thunder could win. However, I’m going for a narrow Warriors’ win, as they extend their win streak to nine. The deeper team will win.