Game 58: OKC Thunder @ New Orleans Pelicans Preview

Second night of a road back to back for OKC’s Thunder in New Orleans tonight. Last night was a good night for OKC as they won in Dallas while the LA Clippers lost to the Denver Nuggets. OKC’s lead over the Clips now stands at four full games.

New Orleans is the most disappointing team in the league this season. Many thought this could be a breakout year for the Pels, but instead the team has been beset by injuries and enters tonight with a record of 22-34 under first year coach Alvin Gentry.

Tonight will be the final game of this season’s series between the two clubs. OKC won both meetings earlier this season in Oklahoma City by scores of 110-103 and 121-95.

Pelicans will be without Tyreke Evans, while the Thunder are at full strength with Andre Roberson back in the starting lineup.

New Orleans still has Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, and Ryan Anderson so the Thunder can’t just sleepwalk through tonight going thru the motions.

Last night was a rarity for Oklahoma City as options three thru six all had good nights on the same night against Dallas. Adams, Ibaka, Waiters, and Kanter were all good on the same night—that doesn’t happen often enough.

Waiters was good, but I thought Steven Adams’ third period was special as well. He probably should have been my co-No. 1 Star of the Game. It’s fun watching Adams grow up as a player. He’s very close in my eyes to becoming OKC’s third best player.

Same mantra for OKC tonight should be the talk by Billy Donovan–namely getting something solid out of these four players.

Randy Foye played 22 minutes last night, it will be interesting to see if his rotation minutes become secure or if Donovan just gave up early on Cam Payne because he couldn’t stay with JJ Barea.

Vegas has OKC as a 5.5 to 6 point road favorite tonight.

 

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