The Oklahoma City Thunder will be playing a THIGABABABA today. The San Antonio Spurs will be playing a SEGABABA. BSPN will tell you that it's a 'young, talented team versus an old, wily veteran team' but what it really comes down to is who can knock down their 3s while controlling the paint.
Both teams like to shoot the 3 ball. Both are in top ten for 3s made and 3%. SA takes over 3 more 3-point attempts than OKC and converts +2 per game than OKC. On the defensive side OKC allows +2 more 3-point attempts per game than the Spurs do. But, OKC's opponents have been hitting at a 40% clip while SAS allows their opponents to hit 50%. In both of OKC's losses, their opponents shot a higher 3%.
If either team is hitting their long range shots and the other one does not, it will be game over before the half. If SAS can come out firing and put OKC under some pressure early, the Thunder should collapse. They are playing a third game back to back to back and no matter the will, the body and mind both tire. If SAS cannot jump on an early lead, then the Thunder can utilize their youthful energy and confidence to make this a real scrap.
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NBA Stats Cube Lineup Comparison Here. Thunder perspective here: Welcome to Loud City
As always Tony must dominate Fisher, and NBA league pass is recommended for those who are willing to pony up the cash. Almost every Spurs game will be broadcast there, which is especially helpful for those of us who aren't in the San Antonio area. Please don't post links to illegal game feeds in the game thread. Links to illegal feeds are not permitted on SBNation, but you can probably find them out there on the internets if you're resourceful and desperate.
0 recs | 19 comments
I love the way you cut to the chase, AG.
Several Spurs last night mentioned the need to show that they can bring the intensity and quality that they show at home and carry it with them on the road. Today is certainly an opportunity to do just that.
quincyscott - January 8, 2012
That stats cube is really interesting. The stats for our starting lineup blow away the stats for their starting lineup. Our % from the restricted area took a big jump over the past couple of days, though the % from in the paint outside the restricted area still could stand improvement. With both teams likely to have a good deal of fatigue, Anderson and Bonner should be well rested and have an opportunity this game. I like Ike to get some minutes as well.
Alamo - January 8, 2012
Make sure and note the total time that each particular line up has played together
Joe deLarios - January 8, 2012 via mobile
For better or worse, I think this game will be over by half time.
Joseph Parkes - January 8, 2012
We’ll see. Jefferson, Blair, Parker and Green all played a little over 30 minutes last night, so Parker and Jefferson may be physically fatigued. But nobody else played more than 20 minutes. Another benefit of our bench playing so well.
For a couple of years it seems that George Hill was a spark for us coming off the bench, but this year everybody is contributing. Part of that may be due to T.J. Ford distributing the ball to open shooters, getting everyone involved. I know we have been talking about having a great bench for several years now, but this season it may just be true.
quincyscott - January 8, 2012
It’s nice to see Ford helping the second unit. Probably since 2003, with Speedy Claxton, if Manu wasn’t out there with the bench guys things just stalled. It’s nice to see some production from the bench. We’re going to need it this year and specifically this month.
Big50 - January 8, 2012
I was out last night- just saw the results from the Nuggets game. What the holy hell happened there?
TexaninNYC - January 8, 2012
Great game. Spurs jumped on them early, lead by 10 to 15 most of the game, Nuggets made a run at the end of each half. Parker, Green, and Jefferson made big plays down the stretch to seal it. Green was all over the place both on both ends.
Not a whole lot of defense, I guess, although these are both good defensive teams. For our part, a lot of the shots Denver made were with a hand in their face—I didn’t think the Spurs were playing bad on the defensive end, the Nuggets are just good shooters.
quincyscott - January 8, 2012
Where is Danny Green in the reserves list?!?
Galfusica - January 8, 2012
My guess is this preview was completed before the end of the game last night.
Big50 - January 8, 2012
Defensive keys to the game:
1. Keep Westbrook out of the paint, but let him take midrange shots all he wants to.
2. Get a hand in the face of Durant and Harden on every shot they take.
Offense:
1. Pick and roll them to death.
Tim C. - January 8, 2012
Sounds like a good plan.
Big50 - January 8, 2012
Let him take midrange, but you do need to challenge his shot from time to time. He can get streaky and it’s good to keep him off of gaining rhythm.
grego21 - January 8, 2012
i agree. in the last 5 games against the Spurs, Westbrook has only shot 32.6%. as long as he takes those shots and is contested, he might continue that trend.
RG8907 - January 8, 2012
Nice stat
Joe deLarios - January 8, 2012 via mobile
Good preview AG. I’m looking forward to seeing Kawhibunga guarding Durant.
Off topic
The Wizards are awul. I feel bad for Wall. Rubio has 13 assists, but is shooting 4-12 as I’m writing this. Minny up 22 with 6 minutes to go on the 4th.
Edg5 - January 8, 2012
Eric Maynor went out with an injury last night. He likely is a key loss for OKC tonight.
grego21 - January 8, 2012
Wow, the Thunder are 6 1/2 point favorites. I think that’s too high. They played last night too and barely beat Houston.
Fred Silva - January 8, 2012
first team to win back-to-back-to-back
grego21 - January 8, 2012
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