OKC on the road this evening to play the Charlotte Hornets. OKC comes in at 23-10 overall, 7-6 on the road, and 7-8 against Eastern Conference teams this season. OKC should come in fresh having last played on New Year’s Eve in a four point win over the Phoenix Suns.
Charlotte a respectable 17-15 overall, 11-5 at home, 3-7 in their last ten games, and the current No. 10 seed in the improved East. Second night of a back to back for the Hornets as they lost last night in Toronto by a 104-94 count.
Some have the Jeremy Lamb angle as a major storyline — I don’t. I’m happy for him in that he appears to have found a team which can give him consistent rotation minutes. I was a fan of his at UConn and wish the best for him. Never really found himself in Oklahoma City after coming over in the Harden trade as one of the two key pieces in the trade coming over to OKC. I don’t see this as big deal other than the fact OKC basically traded him for nothing and that might be a storyline if the Thunder bench struggles later in the season as post season gets near.
Charlotte is a nice team with a blend of youth and veterans though Al Jefferson is back on the shelf with a torn right meniscus after recently making his return from a calve injury. Hornets are led by Kemba Walker, Lamb’s old running mate from Jim Calhoun’s last national championship team at UConn. Jeremy Lin, Nicolas Batum, and rookie Frank Kaminsky are other new additions to the Hornet roster.
The rest of Charlotte’s rotation goes Marvin Williams, Cody Zeller, PJ Hairston, Spencer Hawes, and Tyler Hansbrough.
Kevin Durant in a bit of a shooting slump coming in, but not a big deal when talking abut the league’s most efficient natural scorer. Westbrook is coming off several games where he has been utterly fabulous from an offensive standpoint.
Cameron Payne as the backup point guard for the first time in a road setting is something to keep an eye on. Payne has been good since being inserted into the role for DJ Augustin and the bench appears to be revitalized. Tonight should tell us more. Enes Kanter, Dion Waiters, Anthony Morrow, and perhaps even Kyle Singler tonight need to give Billy Donovan quality minutes filling their respective roles.
OKC needs more from Serge Ibaka night to night. But that’s been a theme from Day 1 of this season. More consistency from both Ibaka and Adams are a must if OKC wants to take its overall team game to the next level.
All Thunder players not named Durant and Westbrook need to show up tonight. Should be an entertaining game.