Broadcast Information
- Tip-off: 2:30 p.m. CT
- Television: ABC
- Radio: WWLS the Sports Animal and the Thunder Radio Network
CLEVELAND – For the first time this season, the Thunder will square off against the defending NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers, the household names that line their roster. LeBron James. Kevin Love. Kyrie Irving.
But in its preparation, what happened last year doesn’t factor in even slightly. It’s about what’s happening between the lines, how the Thunder is trying to execute and how it can slow down Cleveland’s versatile, challenging attack.
James is of course one of the greatest ever to play NBA basketball, and around him are perennial All-Stars in Love and Irving who are deadly from both behind the three-point arc and inside the lane, albeit in different ways.
“They’re a really good team. We go into every game trying to be as prepared as we possibly can. There’s a lot to be prepared for playing against them,” Thunder Head Coach Billy Donovan said. “They have a lot of different lineups that they can play. With LeBron and his ability to score and facilitate, Love, Kyrie and all those guys, they’re a terrific team with really good players. We’re on the road so it’ll be a great challenge for us.”
For a young Thunder roster, Sunday afternoon’s tilt will be a chance to test their skills against a veteran-laden and highly experienced squad that will put them in binds defensively and try to force long two-point jumpers on the other end of the floor. For some of the Thunder’s youngest generation, like rookie Domantas Sabonis, this will also be their first chance to play against James in an NBA contest.
“We just watched film on them. It’s going to be a tough matchup,” Sabonis said. “We have to be prepared mentally.”
“It’s pretty exciting. It’s LeBron James. Growing up I watched him. It’s going to be an exciting game,” Sabonis continued.
Thunder Talk: Donovan on the Cavs
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Kanter Contrite, Optimistic
One day after getting surgery on the right ulna bone in his arm, Enes Kanter was at Thunder practice. Kanter’s positive, upbeat spirit couldn’t be shaken even during perhaps one of the most difficult days of his career. The center apologized to his teammates for the way he broke the bone in his arm, slamming his hand on a chair in frustration during the Thunder’s victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.
Still, Kanter also vowed to find a way to help the team when he’s not on the court. He also recognized the value of this time when he’s out to continue developing other parts of the roster, giving the Thunder extra flexibility and options come April.
“That’s the one thing that popped into my mind today,” Kanter said. “I’m out but I can help Steven, I can help Domas. It’s a really good opportunity for Domas and Joffrey and all these guys to get better, play more and help the team win.”
“It’s really important, with the depth of our team, to uncover some different opportunities to see some different things,” Donovan echoed. “Trying to find different things inside this team, we have to look at it as a coaching staff.”
Teammates over the past 48 hours have rushed to Kanter’s side, knowing full well their big man would take the injury back in a heartbeat if he could. Even youngsters like Cameron Payne recognized the passion and mindset Kanter had in the heat of the moment came from a genuine, conscientious place.
“He was frustrated because he wanted to play better for the team and for the people in the stands. He’s doing it for the team. He’s doing it for the logo,” Payne explained. “Things happen. Everything happens for a reason and hopefully he comes back even better. I hope it’s a speedy recovery.”
“Everybody has to step up. Everybody on the team period. We all have something we’re good at,” Payne continued. “Enes is great. What he does in the post opens up the floor for everyone. Now everyone has to bring it every night. Whatever they do well, be great at it.”