Thunder at Magic
THE STORY: The Oklahoma City Thunder opened their abbreviated 2011-12 season with a hard-fought victory over the Orlando Magic on Christmas Day. They'll look for a season sweep of the Magic on Thursday as they pay a visit to Orlando. The Thunder have won six consecutive games, including a 92-88 come-from-behind win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday to open the second half of their season. The Magic have also been strong of late, beating Washington 102-95 Wednesday for their third win in four games.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE THUNDER (28-7): Orlando fans are quite familiar with the Thunder's two superstars, point guard Russell Westbrook and small forward Kevin Durant. The two electrified Sunday's All-Star Game at the Amway Center; Durant took home MVP honors with a 36-point performance in the 151-149 Western Conference victory, while Westbrook added 21 points on an array of dazzling shots and thunderous dunks. Westbrook was sensational against the Sixers on Wednesday, scoring 22 points and adding 13 rebounds. Durant scored 23 points in the win.
ABOUT THE MAGIC (23-13): With the buzz of the midseason showcase now in the rearview mirror, Magic supporters can get back to the business of cheering their team to a spot in the playoffs. Which spot Orlando will secure is still very much in doubt. The Magic enter Thursday's action sitting fifth in the East, meaning they would have to do without homecourt advantage in the opening round of the postseason. The upcoming schedule doesn't offer many easy matchups, with the Magic facing Miami and Chicago twice each over their next 11 contests.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The teams have split their last six encounters, with the home team winning each time.
2. Magic superstar Dwight Howard averages 20.9 points, 13.9 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in 15 career games against the Thunder.
3. Orlando F Ryan Anderson has knocked down at least two 3-pointers in each of his last eight games. He leads the NBA with 103 made 3s.