Date: Jan. 17, 2020Tip-Off Time: 7 p.m. CTTelevision: Fox Sports OklahomaRadio: 98.1 FM WWLS the Sports Animal and the Thunder Radio Network
Thunder Status
The latest test for the Thunder came against the reigning NBA Champions who amassed a 30-point lead in the first half behind a stifling defensive effort resulting in 22 points off of turnovers. This only motivated the Thunder in the second half. Intensified defense, diving for loose balls and a surge of fourth-quarter buckets brought the game to within three points with two minutes remaining. It wasn’t enough to hold off Toronto who shot 61.0 percent from the field and 55.6 percent from three. “Our energy and our effort, always,” Shai Gilgeous-Alexander responded after he was asked what the team can control after being down 30 points early on. “To start the game, we don’t bring it every game. When we do bring it, we’re tough to beat and can play with anybody. But obviously, when we don’t, we get down against a lot of teams. That’s something we’ll fix, and we’ll get better at. I’m not worried about that.” The Thunder passed the halfway point in the season, but are still approaching the midway point of the tough January stretch with 17 games in 31 days with no more than a single day separating games. So far, the Thunder are 5-3 in January with nine games remaining before a break longer than two games. “It’s a tough month no two days between games for the entire month but every team in the league has dealt with it,” said Thunder guard Chris Paul. “So right now we’ve just got to keep taking care of our bodies and pile up as many wins as possible.”
Opponent Breakdown
Miami rolls into OKC for the first time this season after its lone home game in a six-game stretch. That matchup came against San Antonio where the Heat pulled off a 106-100 win in the waning minutes of the game. Center stage for the Heat was 6-foot-2 rookie guard Kendrick Nunn who racked up 33 points on 13-18 from the field. Another notable pickup for Nunn on Wednesday was his second Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month trophy. “Nunn…has been amazing as a starting guard for them,” Paul said. He added: “I think some people get an opportunity and don’t necessarily take advantage of it and he shows that he belongs.” The Heat sit at third in the Eastern Conference and boast a 28-12 record. This can be attributed to Miami’s style of play with ball movement and player movement on offense resulting in the fourth best field goal percentage (47.2) and second best 3-point percentage in the league (37.8). Miami has a host of talent on its roster contributing significantly each night. In the backcourt, Jimmy Butler and Nunn bolster the starters with Goran Dragic adding 15 points off the bench. Forward Bam Adebayo holds down the front court and flirted with a triple-double on Wednesday with 17 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists. “I’ve watched them play a lot of games this year. They’ve been playing really hard. Obviously well coached,” Paul said. “Bam has been amazing for them this year along with a number of other guys so it’s going to be a good game for us, a good test.”
Matchup Focus
Jimmy Butler, the Heat’s 6-foot-7 guard/forward, leads the Heat with 20 points. His impact, however, on the floor extends beyond his shooting. He also brings in 7.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.0 steals – a perfect matchup for disruptive Thunder defenders such as Terrance Ferguson who has a record of limiting high-scoring opponents. Even then, it will take an entire team effort to limit Butler’s playmaking abilities by shrinking the floor, closing down passing lanes and providing timely help when needed.
Stat to Watch
Free Throws – A constant spot of point production for the Thunder this season has come at the free-throw line. Currently the team sits at first in the league in free-throw attempts per game and commit the third fewest personal fouls. This will bey a key for the Thunder going up against Miami who draw the fifth most fouls with 21.7 and make the third most free throws per game. Be on the lookout for a battle at the charity stripe as both teams boast 17.0 percent of its total points from the foul line.
Thunder Trend
In the past four games, the Thunder’s 6-foot-10 forward, Danilo Gallinari has scored 23 or more points and has averaged 25.0 during that stretch. In the past 11 games, Gallinari has knocked down at least three 3-pointers marking the longest streak in Thunder history. For Paul, having a player who plays at Gallinari’s level of consistency is “the best feeling ever,” adding: “Gallo can really shoot the ball. Coach tells us a lot of times that we don’t get him enough shots but it’s a great feeling.” Gallinari’s shooting doesn’t just benefit his personal box score, but clears up driving lanes for his teammates just for the potential threat that he might shoot it. “It opens up a lot because with the way he shoots the ball from deep, guys a lot of times have to hug up on him so it opens the lane for the rest of us so we’ve just go to keep trying to find him.”