By Paris Lawson | Broadcast and Digital Reporter | okcthunder.com
TIP-OFF: 7 p.m. CST
TV: Bally Sports Oklahoma
RADIO: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC
Game Day: OKC vs. CHI
WHAT TO WATCH
- Sharp D vs. Efficient O – Chicago’s efficient offense will put the Thunder to the test defensively. The Bulls hold top-10 rankings in five offensive categories including offensive ranking (7th), points per game (9th) and 3-point percentage (1st). The Thunder, on the other hand, is coming off one of its better defensive performances of the New Year where the team held the surging Cleveland Cavaliers to just 94 points and forced a season high 24 turnovers while snagging a season-high 14 steals.
- OKC Bench Spark – Keep an eye on the Thunder’s second unit in this one. OKC reserves have been a constant throughout the season and rank 13th in the league in points per game. The last two games, Thunder wing Kenrich Williams provided a significant boost off the bench after missing five games due to health and safety protocols. Over those two games, Williams averaged 9.5 points, three offensive rebounds and two 3-pointers made.
“He’s a game changer,” said Thunder rookie Aaron Wiggins following the Thunder’s game in Cleveland where Williams chipped in 12 points off the bench. “He’s one of those guys that you have to go to when you need any type of momentum. He’ll do whatever it takes to put a team in a position to win.”
The Bulls, however, rely significantly on their starting unit as Chicago’s bench averages 28 points per night – the third lowest mark in the league.
- Shai’s Surging Offense – Against the Cavs on Saturday, Thunder leading scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 29 points for the second consecutive game. The fourth-year guard also logged nine rebounds, six assists and three steals which marked his first career game of such a stat line. The 29-point performance also marked his 25th game of the season scoring over 20 points which ties the amount of 20-plus point games he had all last season.
The league leader in drives per game has showcased his balanced offensive abilities over the last seven games as he averaged 27 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists while shooting 48 percent from the field.
NOTABLE
Though Monday’s matchup will mark the first meeting of the season between the Thunder and the Bulls, the two teams have a storied history over the last two seasons when playing in Oklahoma City. The Thunder has won the last two matchups against the Bulls – both in dramatic and historic fashion.
In 2021, the Thunder overcame a 22-point deficit to secure the win tying the sixth largest comeback in OKC history. In 2019, OKC trailed by as many as 26 points before coming back to win the ball game and marking the largest come from behind win in Thunder history.
So far this season, the Thunder has demonstrated that organizational pillar of competitiveness and resilience by logging six comeback wins after trailing by 15 or more points – the most of any team in the NBA.
QUOTABLE
SCOUTING REPORT
Chicago enters Oklahoma City on the second night of a back-to-back after facing the Orlando Magic on Sunday. Offensively, the Bulls are headlined by four-time All Star DeMar DeRozan who averages 26 points per night while shooting 49 percent from the field. DeRozan will carry a heavy load for the Bulls who have encountered a host of injuries to its roster including its starting point guard Lonzo Ball (knee contusion), Zach LaVine (knee soreness) and Alex Caruso (wrist fracture). In their absence, the Bulls have called on third-year point guard Coby White (12.5 ppg) and rookie Ayo Dosunmu (7.2 ppg) to fill the lineup voids.