By Paris Lawson | Broadcast and Digital Reporter | okcthunder.com
Watch: Bally Sports Oklahoma | Listen: WWLS The Sports Animal 98.1 FM
Following a strong win at home, the Thunder heads to the West Coast for a pair of back-to-back matchups against Pacific Division foes. OKC will take on the Kings for the second time this season after the Thunder mounted an electric 18-point comeback win over Sacramento back in November that was punctuated by a steal and score by Lu Dort to seal the victory.
WHAT TO WATCH
- Living in the Paint – The Thunder’s offense hunts paint touches on each possession and as a result, rank seventh in the league in percentage of total points generated from the paint. The Kings sit at the sixth spot in the same category as 44.9 percent of their points come from the paint each night. The last time these two teams met, OKC outscored Sacramento 56 to 42 in paint points and through the month of December, OKC has logged five games with 50 or more points in the paint.
- High Energy Defense – In its game on Sunday against the Pelicans, OKC’s defense led to its ability to generate a strong lead early in the contest. Lu Dort led the way with a season-high four steals, but as a unit, the Thunder generated 19 total deflections against the Pelicans. Keep an eye on how the Thunder works to carry over the high level of defensive disruption against the Kings.
- Big Rookie Performance – Thunder two-way rookie Aaron Wiggins put together a career performance on Sunday against the Pelicans with 24 points. The former Maryland Terrapin went 8-for-10 from the field including a perfect 6-for-6 from the paint while pulling down six rebounds. So far this season, Wiggins has gone a perfect 12-for-12 on 2-pointers which is the best by any player in the league who has attempted at least 12 field goals.
In addition to Wiggins, Thunder rookie Josh Giddey led the Thunder in both rebounds and assists as he logged his sixth double-double of the season with 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
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The last time these two teams met, the Thunder walked away with a 105-103 victory behind the lockdown defensive effort of Thunder wing Lu Dort. The Montreal native picked the pocket of De’Aaron Fox with seconds left to go in the ball game and finished the layup on the other to seal the win and the comeback. After trailing by as many as 18 points in the game, the Thunder logged one of its six comeback wins of 15 or more points this season.
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SCOUTING REPORT
Sacramento (13-21) is at the mid-way point of a prolonged six-game homestand. After dropping its last three contests and seven of their last nine, the Kings will be looking to right the ship on Tuesday against the Thunder. The Kings most recently fell to the Grizzlies 127-102 on Sunday. Five Sacramento players scored in double figures as guard Tyrese Haliburton led the way with 18. For the season, De’Aaron Fox leads the Kings in scoring with 21 points per night to go alongside five assists.
The Kings were without three of their roster players on Sunday due to the league’s Health and Safety Protocols while OKC was without two of its own against the Pelicans. Keep an eye out for player availability for both the Thunder and the Kings leading up to the matchup on Tuesday.