Thunder at Kings
The streaking Oklahoma City Thunder could have superstar guard Russell Westbrook back in action when they continue a three-game road trip at the Sacramento Kings on Monday. The Thunder began the trip with a 110-100 win at Phoenix, their third straight victory and 10th in 11 games following an 0-4 start.
They've played the last six without Westbrook, the first five as his sprained ankle healed and the sixth as the former MVP sat for personal reasons. While getting Westbrook back will be huge for any team, the rest of Oklahoma City's roster has used this stretch to get stronger as a unit. "We've been together," forward Paul George told reporters after scoring 32 points in the win over the Suns. "I can't say that enough. There's no more confusion, there's no more trying to figure it out. We know what to do. We've been together long enough now to know what to do in those moments." The Kings delivered one of the Thunder's four straight losses to begin the season as part of a 6-3 start, but they have dropped five of their last seven.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBA TV, FS Oklahoma, NBCS California (Sacramento)
ABOUT THE THUNDER (10-5): Center Steven Adams scored a season-high 26 points against Phoenix while grabbing 10 rebounds to record his seventh double-double. The 25-year-old from New Zealand is averaging 20.4 points on 68.8 percent shooting and 9.2 boards over a five-game span. "Steven's the kind of guy where if a Russell or a Paul or Dennis (Schroder) are going really well, he's not going to inject himself into that," Thunder coach Billy Donovan told the media. "But when they need him rolling or posing up or doing different things, he'll do whatever he can for the team."
ABOUT THE KINGS (8-8): Sacramento allowed 109 points through the first three quarters in Saturday's 132-112 loss at Houston and it was clear on several possessions that this young group has some learning to do on the defensive end. "This is a tough team to play on the back end of a back-to-back, and they were rested, they were focused, they were locked in and they do it well, they do it really well," coach Dave Joerger told reporters. "We tried to give them different looks. We're not at a college or graduate level experience wise in playing pick-and-rolls the way these guys are a scientist at it." Buddy Hield led the way on the other end of the floor with 23 points, the seventh time in the last 12 games he has scored at least 22.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Kings SG Iman Shumpert scored a season-high 26 points in the win over the Thunder last month.
2. George scored at least 32 points in three consecutive games while hitting 14-of-31 3-pointers and all 19 of his foul shots.
3. Sacramento C Willie Cauley-Stein was 1-for-9 from the floor at Houston after shooting 57.7 percent in his first 15 contests.