TV: Bally Sports Oklahoma | Radio: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC
By Paris Lawson | Broadcast and Digital Reporter | okcthunder.com
Following a two-game road trip, the Thunder returns to Paycom Center to tip off its final home stand of the season. The four-game stint begins with a series finale against the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday night. OKC is coming off one of its best offensive performances of the season where the team posted season highs in points, assists and field goal percentage against the Portland Trail Blazers.
WHAT TO WATCH
Lots of Offense – In its game against Portland on Monday, the Thunder posted a season-high in points (134) and field goal percentage (53.3%) while tying season highs in 3-pointers made (20) and assists (32). As a result, seven players scored in double figures for the first time this season.
Meanwhile, the Hawks have posted back-to-back games scoring 120 points or more and rank seventh in the league overall in points per game. While the Thunder works to carry over the offensive momentum from its matchup against Portland, there could be an exchange of high-scoring offense against the Hawks who hold the third best offensive rating in the league.
The Difference from 3 – The 3-point line could play a big factor in Wednesday night’s matchup. After sinking 20 3-pointers against the Blazers on Monday, OKC has now logged 11 straight games with 10 or more made 3-pointers – good for the third-longest streak in OKC history.
Defending the 3-point line will be key for the Thunder as the Hawks tend to find the most success when the threes are falling. For the season, Atlanta averages a 40.5 percent clip from the 3-point line in wins but drops down to an average of 33.7 percent in losses. In its last meeting with the Thunder, Atlanta made 14 3-pointers at a 41-percent clip to help fuel its 113-101 victory.
Containing Trae – In addition to the 3-point line, expect the Thunder’s defense to prioritize Atlanta’s leading scorer in Trae Young. The former Sooner averages 28 points and 9.6 assists per game while shooting at a 45 percent clip from the field and 38 from deep. Young also leads the league in point-assist double-doubles this season after tallying his 38th such outing in the Hawks’ most recent matchup against the Pacers.
NOTABLE
Thunder rookie Aaron Wiggins posted a career-high 28-point performance on Monday against the Trail Blazers which marked the seventh game of the season where a Thunder rookie has scored 25 or more points. That tally ties for the most such games in a season in OKC history. Wiggins has recorded two 25-plus point games, rookie Tre Mann has racked up four and Josh Giddey has one.
QUOTABLE
SCOUTING REPORT
The Thunder hosts the offensive-minded Atlanta Hawks (38-37) who tout the third-best offense in the league that averages 113 points per game while turning the ball over just 12 times per contest – the lowest mark in the league. Young serves as the engine to the Hawks’ offense with his 28 points and nine assists per game but is surrounded by dangerous offensive threats who average double-digit scoring each night. In its most recent matchup against the Pacers, Atlanta had three players score 20 or more points: Bogdan Bogdanovic racked up 29 as Kevin Huerter and Clint Capela added 22 each. Meanwhile Young dished out 16 assists, his second consecutive game with 15 or more dimes.