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Oklahoma City Thunder
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Phoenix Suns
Preview
The story so far
Tonight the Thunder have a chance to wrap up the head to head tiebreaker over the Suns. After beating the Suns in Phoenix back in January to get back to .500 the Thunder have risen to the challenge and now stand 12 games over. A lot of people thought 33 wins was a great season total now the Thunder stand poised to threaten for 50. And it can all be traced back to defense, okay maybe not all but certainly 80%. Westbrook's improvement has been great and contributions from Ibaka and Harden have also been key but the defense is what is winning games for the Thunder more often than not. The Suns are only a half game back of the Thunder in the standings, the Suns sit in 6th looking to move up if either OKC or Dallas falters. Dallas and OKC both have the same number of losses which is really the key, Dallas may be ahead at the moment but until OKC loses again they may as well be tied. A win tonight pushes the Suns a little further down the playoff ladder and OKC a little closer to a secured playoff spot. A loss would suck but it would not be the end of the world, OKC has another game against Phoenix so another chance to grab that tiebreak and although they would slip down to 6th in the standing the Thunder would still be 3 ½ games ahead of New Orleans for the final playoff spot.
The Matchups
Steve Nash v Russell Westbrook
The 35 year old that continues to defy logic and post huge numbers in his 13th season. Nash averages a double double with 18 points and 11 assists. He showed the kids a little something by winning the NBA skills challenge over Westbrook, Jennings, and Deron Williams. Westbrook has been taking on more of a scoring role lately. For the month of February Westbrook is averaging 19.6 and 9.7, the 19.6 is almost 5 points more than any other month this season and the 9.7 is 2 higher. After the triple double Sunday I am excited to see if he can put together another complete performance tonight.
Edge
Jason Richardson v Thabo Sefolosha
Richardson went 6-15 from the field and 1-6 from three for 13 points against the Thunder in January. Richardson has been on fire this month with a few exceptions. The Thunder came out and ran a couple of plays for Sefolosha early and he responded with a 3-4 first quarter. Sefolosha will have his hands full with Richardson tonight.
Edge
Grant Hill v Kevin Durant
Another day another game another extension to the streak of 25. Durant has cooled off somewhat since his blistering end of January, the game against Minnesota saw him return to a crazy 2 points per shot when he had 32 on 16 shots. Grant Hill will again have his hands full both on offense and defense. Against Durant Hill went 1-6 for 5 points while Durant went 12-20 for 38.
Edge
Amare Stoudemire v Jeff Green
Stoudemire once again stayed in Phoenix through the trade deadline. The Thunder got killed when Stoudemire and Nash ran the pick and roll, but then again everyone does. The Thunder need Green to play solid defense more than they need his offense tonight. Green has broken out of his slump and is shooting a touch under .500 in his last 5 games. Green is also coming off back to back double doubles, against Phoenix he was only one rebound away from another double double. Expect him to keep the streak alive with another double double tonight.
Edge
Channing Frye v Nenad Krstic
The only big man to compete in the 3 point contest Frye continues to be a solid option from three. Against the Thunder he was a great option racking up 24 points on 14 shots including 4-10 from three. Krstic has struggled in the past getting it going in the first quarter, however he typically comes out in the third and gets the second half started right. Krstic only played 17 minutes against the Suns but went 4-8 in those 17 minutes. He struggles on defense with the athletic ability of Stoudemire and can't stay with Frye on the perimeter.
Edge
Bench v Bench
Goran Dragic is a speedy guy that usually makes pretty good decisions and has a good handle. Dragic isn't anything really special but he is a solid role player. Louis Amundson is another solid backup big. Amundson had a pretty good game against OKC going 3-5 with 2 blocks in 16 minutes. The big player in the Suns rotation is Jared Dudley. Dudley is a good shooter and a sniper from three but he struggled with OKC last game. Dudley went 0-3 and grabbed 5 rebounds.
After quite a few games of the same nine getting playing time coach Brooks shook up the rotation a little against Minnesota. Veteren Kevin Ollie came in at the end of the third instead of rookie Eric Maynor. Ollie was unspectacular and it is anyone's guess who gets the nod tonight. Collison, Harden, and Ibaka continue to be solid contributors.
Edge
The Prediction
The Thunder have gotten much better in transition defense since facing the Suns back in December. The Thunder have gotten better on the run on offense as well since the start of the season. Although they still prefer to play a slower pace Westbrook's ability to finish and make good decisions on the break mean the Thunder can run effectively when it proves advantageous. The Suns are a good team and the Thunder will have to bring their A game after escaping two games where they won despite playing a C or D game.
Thunder win 115-112
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