Broadcast Information
- Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. CT
- Television: Fox Sports Oklahoma
- Radio: WWLS the Sports Animal and the Thunder Radio Network
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The atmosphere, the passion and intensity that the Thunder and its fans displayed on Saturday night in Oklahoma City has been unmatched in any NBA environment this season. So what will the Thunder do now when it has to move on to the next game on the schedule?
All season long the Thunder has indicated that the number one objective for the team has been to compete at a high level on a consistent basis and bring the same level of competitiveness and fight to every contest. Tonight against the Washington Wizards, that standard will be put to the test.
“There’s an emotional component to every game,” Head Coach Billy Donovan said. “That’s what you try to establish with your team, to be able to come back every game and emotionally, mentally and physically play to the highest level you can play to.”
Instead of focusing on outside noise, the Thunder has approached its recent games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors with the same respect that it does with tonight’s clash against Washington. In these matchups against high level opponents, it’s essential for the Thunder to be able to learn and grow. Applying lessons from past games, learning from problem areas that were exposed and tapping into aspects of the game that were successful is crucial.
“You always find out more about yourself and have the greatest opportunity, if used the right way, to grow and get better from it,” Donovan said. “I feel as a coach it’s important to capitalize on something like this as best we can.”
The elements of the Thunder’s defense that have been tested lately will once again be on trial tonight against the Wizards, as the one-man fast break that is John Wall teams up with three-point marksman Bradley Beal along the perimeter. Otto Porter and Markieff Morris provide unique matchup problems for wings and on the whole, the Wizards are playing at a very high level under the direction of their new head coach, Scott Brooks.
“They’re shooting the ball at a very high level,” Donovan said. “They are a team that as the season has gone on they’ve continued to get better and continued to improve.”
Team defense, according to Victor Oladipo and other Thunder players, will be paramount to success tonight on the road. With just two games left before the All-Star Break, the Thunder is poised to come out with toughness, energy and electricity to bounce back from a loss and try to springboard a little momentum heading into the home stretch.
“We have to have a hit-first mentality,” Westbrook said. “If you let them run around and do what they want to do, they become a great team. You have to be ready to play in that aspect.”
Game Day: Russell Westbrook