By Paris Lawson | Broadcast and Digital Reporter | okcthunder.com
TIP-OFF: 7:30 p.m. CST
TV: Bally Sports Oklahoma
RADIO: WWLS 98.1 FM OKC
Game Day: OKC at SAS
After a battle in Dallas, the Thunder’s prolonged four-game road trip continues in the Lone Star state with a matchup in San Antonio. Wednesday’s game will mark the second time this season where the Spurs and the Thunder have met. The last meeting back in November, resulted in a low-scoring battle in which the Thunder overcame a 16-point deficit to walk away with the 99-94 win.
WHAT TO WATCH
- Offensive Consistency – The Thunder’s offense caught fire in the second half against Dallas. Starting at the six-minute mark of the third quarter, the team shot 65 percent from the field and 8-of-15 from the 3-point line for the remainder of the ball game to set up a one-possession game with just seconds left.
OKC’s offensive execution will be paramount from the start against the Spurs who are 10-1 this season when holding their opponents to under 100 points and in turn, are 6-27 when their opponent scores 100 or more.
- Shai’s Offensive Impact – Thunder leading scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lit the teams’ offensive fuse against the Mavericks. The fourth-year guard poured in 15 of his game-high 34 points in the third frame alone which marked his sixth quarter with 15 or more points this season. Gilgeous-alexander also went a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line in the second half and finished the night with a 14-of-16 performance from the charity stripe. The 14 free throws tied SGA’s career high for the most made in a game.
- Paint Numbers – The last time the Spurs and the Thunder faced off; San Antonio poured in 60 points in the paint at a 52 percent clip. For the season, San Antonio generates over half of its offense from the lane as the team ranks second in the league in percentage of total points from the paint. Keep an eye on the Thunder’s ability to limit the Spurs’ easy looks at the rim and in the paint on Wednesday.
NOTABLE
After the Thunder logged 10 steals against Dallas on Monday, the team has now recorded 10 or more steals in four of its eight games during the month of January. Over that time span, OKC has averaged 8.5 steals per game which ranks eighth in the league.
QUOTABLE
SCOUTING REPORT
San Antonio (16-28) is midway through a season-high seven game home stand. Most recently, the Spurs fell 121-107 to the Suns on Monday. In that game, San Antonio demonstrated its balanced scoring as six players scored in double figures. Dejounte Murray leads the Spurs in scoring with 19 points per night, but he is one of seven players on the roster who averages double digits each night. The Spurs democratic scoring is a byproduct of its ball movement as the team holds a 64 percent assist rate – the fifth highest in the league.