Oklahoma City Thunder Travel To New York To Face Knicks
Following back-to-back victories over the Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons, the Oklahoma City Thunder look to keep the momentum going against super team New York Knicks.
All eyes will once again be on Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook, who recorded his 44th career triple double on Saturday; it was his second triple double in two days. Westbrook will likely have another big night against a poor Knicks defense that is giving up 106 points per game.
Nov 5, 2016; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) watches his team play against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The 8-8 Knicks split their post-Thanksgiving back-to-backs against the Charlotte Hornets, winning at home, but losing on the road.
Despite their record, the “super team” label given to them by point guard Derrick Rose, and Phil Jackson taking up the headlines with talk of the triangle; the Knicks have been playing good basketball as of late, especially at home. They are 5-2 in their last seven games and 7-2 at Madison Square Garden.
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Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis are both averaging over 20 points a game. Andre Roberson will draw the assignment of guarding Anthony, and Thunder fans should feel good about that match-up given Roberson’s defensive ability.
The struggle could be in stopping Porzingis, who will likely be guarded by a combination of guys. Domantas Sabonis will get the start on the Latvian forward, but don’t be surprised if Billy Donovan uses Jerami Grant on Porzingis throughout the game. What Grant lacks in size, he makes up for in quickness and athleticism.
While OKC would seemingly have the advantage at point guard, Rose does surprisingly well against Westbrook and the Thunder. Rose is 5-3 against Westbrook and averages two more points per game in their eight head-to-head meetings.
Last year, Rose led the Bulls to a 2-0 record against the Thunder, scoring 29 points in their first meeting of the season. If Westbrook isn’t alert defensively, which is a big if given Russell’s defensive awareness lately, then Rose may once again turn back the clock as Thunder fans wonder why this always happens against their team.
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If the Thunder want to push their winning streak to three, they’ll need to come out with the same defensive effort that they had against the Pistons on Saturday. It’s foolish to think that Anthony Morrow will have another 20-point game, but they won’t need that from Morrow if the defense is able to hold the Knicks to a poor shooting night. The Knicks are in the bottom half of the league when it comes to percentage of points in the paint (39.9%) and third in the league in percentage of points from the midrange (20.2%).
For comparison, 46.3% of OKC’s points come in the paint and only 12.5% come from the midrange.
The Knicks will take the midrange shots, it’s up to OKC to make the looks a little bit tougher.
Westbrook usually thrives in MSG (then again, Westbrook thrives wherever and whenever), but he’ll need help from Steven Adams and Oladipo if the Thunder want to run their running streak to three and remain undefeated post-Thanksgiving.
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