Game Day: OKC vs. TOR
By Paris Lawson | Broadcast and Digital Reporter | okcthunder.com
TV: Bally Sports Oklahoma | Radio: WWLS/WKY
Following its matchup against the Golden State Warriors on Monday, the Thunder closes out its brief two-game homestand with a second and final meeting with the Toronto Raptors. OKC won the previous matchup back in December 110-109 behind a game-winning 3-pointer from Mike Muscala and a clutch defensive effort to deter a potential buzzer-beating shot from the Raptors.
WHAT TO WATCH
- 3-Point Defense – The Thunder is on a league-leading active streak of holding 15 straight opponents to under 40-percent shooting from behind the arc – including the sharp-shooting Golden State Warriors. On Wednesday, OKC will have yet another test of its defensive execution as it goes up against the Raptors who tout the second-best 3-point shooting clip in the league since January 1 (38 percent). During that time frame, both Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. have each averaged over 20 points and four made 3-pointers per game – two of only three players to do so in the league.
“That’s really just being in the right spots and contesting every shot,” said Thunder rookie Tre Mann. “That’s something that [the coaching staff] really tries to stress – make sure we contest every shot even if we’re there late or behind the ball, just make sure we get a contest.”
- Sharp Passes – OKC’s offense will be going up against a Toronto team who plays with a lot of activity on the defensive end. The Raptors lead the NBA with an average of 17.9 deflections per game. For the Thunder, making simple, sharp passes will be key in limiting the defensive disruption Toronto attempts to cause.
- Offensive Glass – Keep an eye on the offensive glass between these two teams. In its game against the Warriors, OKC racked up 18 offensive rebounds which marks the second most in a game this season for the Thunder. Eight of the nine players who logged playing time for OKC pulled down at least one offensive board.
“For our team, we've had a lot of nights where the ball hasn't gone in, and we've had to manufacture in other ways,” said Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault. “Offensive rebounding is a huge part of that. When things aren't going well, can you manufacture? I thought we did that [against the Warriors.] I thought that kept us in the game.”
Meanwhile, Toronto averages the second-most offensive boards per game and in turn generates the second most second chance points per night. The team has five players averaging over two offensive boards per night with rookie center Scottie Barnes headlining the effort as he leads all rookies with 2.6 offensive boards per game.
NOTABLE
While sporting a new face mask to protect his fractured nose, Thunder guard Lu Dort led all scorers with 26 points against the Warriors on Monday as he cashed in three 3-pointers. The effort brought his streak to seven straight games with at least two or more triples. All the while, the third-year wing maintained his title as OKC’s defensive ace as he drew three offensive fouls against Golden State which brought his season total up to 41 – the second-highest mark in the league.
QUOTABLE
SCOUTING REPORT
After defeating the Charlotte Hornets on Monday, the Raptors (29-33) have built up a season-high six-game winning streak heading into Oklahoma City. During that time span, Toronto has shot at a scorching 45-percent clip from behind the 3-point line which leads the entire NBA.
Offensively, the Raptors tout a starting lineup in which all five players average over 14 points per game and four who average 18 or more. In its last game against the Hornets, four starters poured in 20 or more points. Fred VanVleet leads the way with 21.6 points per night but current Eastern Conference Player of the Week Pascal Siakam trails right behind with 21.5 as well as a career-high 8.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists.