Thunder at Suns
The Oklahoma City Thunder look to complete a four-game season sweep of Phoenix when they visit the Suns on Friday. The Thunder averaged 115 points while winning the first three meetings with the largest margin of victory being 17 points.
Oklahoma City has lost back-to-back games and Tuesday's 113-109 loss to the Houston Rockets was of the frustrating variety. "It just comes down to those plays that happen sometimes," star forward Paul George told reporters. "There's no excuse for effort or energy. We matched their effort. We matched their energy. Give them a pat on the back." Phoenix is beginning a season-long seven-game homestand and it has momentum with five victories in seven games after posting a 122-120 overtime win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. Standout guard Devin Booker had 35 points, eight assists and seven rebounds and has topped 30 points in three of the past five games.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Oklahoma, FS Arizona
ABOUT THE THUNDER (21-12): Point guard Russell Westbrook fell just shy of his fourth triple-double in five games with 21 points, nine rebounds and nine assists against Houston but suffered through a 6-of-20 shooting performance. "It was just settling more," Westbrook told reporters in dismay about his showing. "I should have attacked more to get to the basket." George recorded 28 points and 14 rebounds against the Rockets for his fourth consecutive double-double.
ABOUT THE SUNS (9-26): Booker has been superb in six games since returning from a hamstring injury and is averaging 30.7 points and eight assists during the stretch. "That's Devin's job description, that's what he does for us," Phoenix coach Igor Kokoskov told reporters. "He is the present and future of our organization. Whatever he decides to do with this program, that's what is going to happen." Forward T.J. Warren tallied 24 points against Orlando and has exceeded 20 points in seven of the past eight contests.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. George averaged 29 points and 7.7 rebounds in the three wins over the Suns.
2. Phoenix backup SG Jamal Crawford (knee) will likely miss his second straight game.
3. Oklahoma City reserve SG Alex Abrines (illness) hopes to return after missing the Christmas Day contest.