Thunder at 76ers
The Oklahoma City Thunder look to produce a third straight offensive show against one of the league’s worst defenses when they visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night. The Thunder averaged 129 points while winning consecutive games over Portland and Boston to increase their lead to 2 ½ games over the Los Angeles Clippers for third in the Western Conference.
“We just have to ride this wave now and see where it takes us,” Oklahoma City All-Star Kevin Durant told reporters after the 130-109 triumph at Boston on Wednesday. Durant and Russell Westbrook combine to average 52 points to lead the Thunder, who stand second behind Golden State in the league in scoring offense (110.1) and go after their 13th consecutive victory over the 76ers. Philadelphia lost for the 16th time in 17 games 99-94 against Washington on Thursday and dropped to 3-40 against Eastern Conference teams. The 76ers have six wins against the West in 25 contests and will depend on the backcourt duo of Isaiah Canaan and Ish Smith to lead the way.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Oklahoma (Oklahoma City), CSN Philadelphia
ABOUT THE THUNDER (46-22): Durant stands third in the league in scoring with 28 points per game and has produced at least that many in seven of the last eight contests. Westbrook has three of his 12 triple-doubles in the last six games, including Monday’s 128-94 rout of Portland, and averages 24 points to go along with 10.4 assists – second in the league. Center Enes Kanter has lifted his game the last six outings while averaging 17.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and shooting 64.1 percent from the field.
ABOUT THE 76ERS (9-59): Canaan is averaging 19 points and Smith 18 over the last three games while inside force Nerlens Noel has posted 14.8 points and 9.6 rebounds per contest over the last five outings. Forward Jerami Grant return to the lineup Thursday to score 13 points and took the spot of Carl Landry, who was held off the scoresheet. Rookie center Jahlil Okafor, who averaged 17.5 points in 53 games, had surgery on his right knee delayed Wednesday as the team reportedly “steps back” to get more information.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Philadelphia Fs Robert Covington (concussion) and Richaun Holmes (Achilles) have missed three straight games and are questionable for Friday.
2. Oklahoma City F Serge Ibaka has made 12-for-21 from the field the last two games after going 3-for-17 in the previous two.
3. The Thunder extended their streak over the 76ers with a 102-85 victory on Nov. 13.