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Golden State Warriors @ Oklahoma City Thunder Game 54 Preview

By Weldon Jones

February 1, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (right) instructs forward Kevin Durant (35) against the Charlotte Hornets during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Hornets 126-111. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
February 1, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (right) instructs forward Kevin Durant (35) against the Charlotte Hornets during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Hornets 126-111. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 9, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) reacts after a play against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

The Oklahoma City Thunder will be looking to knock off two elite teams in a row. Russell Westbrook especially will relish this contest.

Starting five for the Oklahoma City Thunder

  • Point Guard- Russell Westbrook
  • Shooting Guard- Victor Oladipo
  • Small Forward- Andre Roberson
  • Power Forward- Domantas Sabonis
  • Center- Steven Adams

The Thunder are a really young team. Russell Westbrook is arguably the lone veteran star, but his supporting cast does a few things well. Last night against Cleveland the Thunder showed that they can get up for big games and make big shots. Victor Oladipo, Steven Adams, and key bench players stepped up. It will take more of the same for them to beat the Golden State Warriors.

Russell Westbrook is essentially the ringleader here and this game would be a big win for the team. Golden State was the only team standing in front of a second Finals appearance last year. Then Free agency obviously was not great for OKC as they lost Kevin Durant.

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Russell is the new sheriff and he is doing a darn good job so far. The pieces around him are developing as well. Victor Oladipo, Enes Kanter, Steven Adams, Cameron Payne, and Domantas Sabonis have found a role and all that is left is for them to continue to grow. This game here is all about one word. Redemption. Russell Westbrook will do anything in his power to right the wrong that was a blowout loss at Golden State. To pull this off, help will be needed and effort will be expended for a full 48 minutes of play.

Final Score Predictions for Golden State Warriors @ Oklahoma City Thunder

100. 149. 107. 41. Final

Oklahoma City has been a great home team. The crowd really gives them a great advantage over visiting teams. The team also does a few things better at home such as shoot threes. Their percentage goes up two points from 31.2  percent to 33.1 percent.

The Thunder also crank up their defensive intensity at home while putting their opponents on the free throw line considerably less. OKC can run with the Warriors, but this will require an otherworldly performance from Russell Westbrook as well as limited turnovers. These are all things that will help OKC’s chances. The Interior play and depth will have to be emphasized as well.

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