On Tuesday, the Oklahoma City Thunder will have the opportunity to implement changes from Sunday’s blowout loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Oklahoma City Thunder will face the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday in the final game of a three-game road trip. The Milwaukee Bucks dominated the Thunder on Sunday in a rare blowout loss. However, the formula for calculating these losses has remained consistent.
Oklahoma City has struggled this season against long, physical teams who can force star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to play in a crowd, a team with large defensive gaps and the ability to fly out to shooters, making life difficult for the Thunder’s complementary shooters. Once the shots stop falling and Gilgeous-Alexander is limited, OKC faces an uphill struggle.
Few teams can master this formula, which is why the Thunder have only suffered a few double-digit losses this season, but New Orleans can do so. How will the Thunder respond to a low-post lineup that includes Zion Williams and Jonas Valanciunas, with Herb Jones being one of Gilgeous-Alexander’s hardest matchups?
While the Pelicans will be without Brandon Ingram, this is still a club that has the makings of a difficult game for Oklahoma City.
This gives the Thunder an advantage in cleaning their slate against a squad that matches up similarly to their Sunday opponent, allowing them to instantly put their changes into practice.
Stiles’ Points:
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s April 2nd game versus the Boston Celtics was flexed to national television and is currently broadcast on ESPN in Boston. The Thunder will look to complete the season sweep against the Celtics after a stunning home win in early January.
While the Pelicans will be missing Brandon Ingram, this is still a tough opponent for Oklahoma City.
This offers the Thunder an advantage when cleaning their slate against a team that matches up similarly to their Sunday opponent, allowing them to immediately put their alterations into action.
Stiles’ Points:
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s April 2nd game against the Boston Celtics was moved to national television and is now airing on ESPN in Boston. The Thunder will seek to clinch the season sweep against the Celtics after a shocking home victory in early January.
The song of the day is “I’m Walking to New Orleans” by Fats Domino.
Leave a Reply