Thunder at Nets
THE STORY: With the future of the franchise now solidified with the signing of Russell Westbrook to a five-year contract extension, the Oklahoma City Thunder can focus on maintaining the best record in the Western Conference. The Thunder had their seven-game winning streak snapped on Wednesday when they fell 105-102 to the lowly Washington Wizards. Westbrook scored a season-high 36 points and Kevin Durant added 33, but the Thunder committed 21 turnovers. They’ll be looking to get back on track when Oklahoma City travels to New Jersey to take on the Nets on Saturday night. New Jersey is coming off a 107-100 victory over the Golden State Warriors. It was the first time that they’ve won at home this season. They made half of their 74 field goal attempts and outrebounded the Warriors by 20.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSN (Oklahoma City), YES (New Jersey)
ABOUT THE THUNDER (12-3): Durant and Westbrook combined for 69 points on Wednesday, but an area of concern is that the other three starters in the Oklahoma City lineup managed only to chip in eight points combined. However, they have been making defensive contributions. Through 15 games this season Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins have recorded a blocked shot in every game. Oklahoma City is the only team in the league to feature two players with a block in every game this season. The Thunder has won five straight over the Nets and are a perfect 3-0 in games played on Saturday this season.
ABOUT THE NETS (4-11): Deron Williams has been a steadying force in the backcourt for the Nets so far this season. He’s averaging 18.4 points and 8.4 assists per game. Williams will face the Thunder for the first time in a Nets uniform. The former Utah Jazz player averaged 26 points and 12.2 assists in his last five games versus Oklahoma City. The Nets have also received solid play from Marshon Brooks recently. He’s averaged 16.8 points per game and has gone 11 for 26 from three-point range since being promoted to the starting lineup six games ago.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Thunder are currently one of only two Western Conference teams (Denver is the other) to boast a winning road record.
2. Thunder are 48-27 all-time vs the Nets
3. The Nets are ranked first in the NBA with 143 made three-pointers.