Thunder to Welcome Fans for Home Opener

Oklahoma City, Thursday, Nov. 1 – The Oklahoma City Thunder will play its first home game of the 2012-13 season tomorrow night at Chesapeake Energy Arena, tipping off at 7 p.m. against the Portland Trail Blazers.

TICKETS: The team noted that tickets for the game are available two ways: through the NBATickets Resale Marketplace and on game night at the Kia Thunder Rewards Zone.

Formerly the Thunder TicketExchange, the NBATickets Resale Marketplace is the only Thunder-authorized outlet for fan-to-fan ticket sales

The Kia Thunder Rewards Zone offers fans a game-day opportunity to purchase the final 100 pairs of tickets for Thunder home games throughout the season. In-person registration for the Kia Thunder Rewards Zone begins three hours prior to tipoff; new this year, fans can also preregister on game days online at THUNDER.NBA.COM.

AUCTION: Fans attending Friday’s game can stop by the Thunder Cares auction tables outside of Section 120 to bid on Thunder autographed items, including a team-signed ball. A portion of the proceeds will go to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy disaster relief.

THUNDER ALLEY: The Thunder Alley pregame festivities return for Friday night’s home opener, as well as select games throughout November. Join the Thunder Girls and Storm Chasers on Reno Ave. outside of Chesapeake Energy Arena starting at 4 p.m. for interactive games, face painting, the Budweiser beer garden and more. Thunder Alley will conclude at tipoff.

TUNE IN: Friday’s game will be broadcast on FOX Sports Oklahoma, featuring Thunder broadcasters Brian Davis, Grant Long and Lesley McCaslin. Hall of Famer Nancy Liebermann will be the new studio analyst for the “Thunder Live” pregame and postgame shows, joining studio hosts Dana Larson and John Rhadigan.

FOX Sports Oklahoma can be found on Oklahoma City Cox channels 37/722 HD, Tulsa Cox Channels 27/722 HD, DirecTV channel 679 and AT&T U-verse channel 754. Dish Network customers should check their local listings.

Matt Pinto returns as the voice of the Thunder Radio Network broadcasts, led by WWLS-The Sports Animal on 97.1FM in Oklahoma City.

NATIONAL ANTHEM: Friday’s national anthem will be performed by Oklahoma City native Destan Owens. Owens graduated from Oklahoma City University and has extensive theater credentials, including performing on Broadway in “Rent” and “Chicago.”