Justin Cooper

December 19, 2018

 

The OKC Thunder set their sights on upending a surprising Sacramento Kings team that simply refuses to go away in the ever-competitive Western Conference tonight, visiting the Golden1 Center for the second time this season.  Currently occupying the number eight spot in the West, the Kings have given the Thunder fits in their first two meetings of the 2018-2019 campaign, winning both contests and stealing an early season win in Oklahoma City. 

It’s been more than a month since the two teams last met.  The Thunder came out flat in their last outing versus the Kings, quickly giving up a 10 point lead in the first quarter and digging themselves a 13 point hole going into halftime.  Oklahoma City went on to take a brief third quarter lead, and managed to get within striking distance again in the fourth, with Paul George cutting the lead to 2 points with just under seven seconds remaining, but the Kings held on to win the game, 117-113.

The Thunder, plagued with a series of early season injuries, have since seemingly found a rhythm, hanging their hat on stifling defense and an emphasis on getting out in transition.  The last meeting was Russell Westbrook’s first game back in the lineup off an ugly ankle sprain and, at the time, due to injuries to several budding role players, the Thunder’s shooting guard position was a revolving door.  

This healthier OKC squad should make life more difficult for the Sacramento Kings this evening.  While the Kings managed to launch 38 three point attempts, connecting on 16 on a very efficient 42.1 percent shooting from deep in November’s meeting between these two teams, the Thunder have become stingier on the perimeter, only allowing 29.1 three point attempts per game on a paltry 33.1 percent conversion rate, good for fifth and sixth leaguewide, respectively. 

With Terrance Ferguson looking more comfortable in his starting role for the team and a healthier Russell Westbrook, the Thunder should be more effective running the King’s sharpshooters off the line tonight.  Buddy Hield, Iman Shumpert, and Bogdan Bogdanovic combined for 13 threes in the last matchup.  The Thunder look to pull the curtains on the Kings and eliminate all that daylight. 

With a greater emphasis on perimeter defense, Oklahoma City should pick up a much needed road win against a plus-.500 team, something the Thunder have only accomplished three other times this season.