Washington Wizards (27-22) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (30-20)
When: Tuesday , January 30th at 7p.m.
Where: Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. TV: NBC Sports Washington / Radio: 1500 AM
Injury
Wizards: Sheldon Mac (Out, Achilles) , John Wall (Out, Knee)
Thunder: Anthony Roberson (Out, Knee)
Notes -
OKC is riding an eight game winning streak which includes a convincing 121-112 win over the Wizards last Thursday.
The Wizards play their first home game in 15 days tonight as they play the Oklahoma City Thunder for the second time in five days.
The five-day turnaround is the quickest Washington has with a Western Conference team this season.
Wizards -
107.1 - points per game
105.6 - points against
46.5 - Field goal %
Thunder -
106.3 - points per game
102.0 - points against
45.7 - field goal %
Keep an eye on:
RUSSELL WESTBROOK: I know what ya'll are thinking, tell us something we don't know. Russell Westbrook has been on a terror as of late. In the 21 games since Dec. 17, Westbrook is averaging 29.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 10.2 assist on 52 percent shooting from the field, 32 percent shooting from deep and 72 percent shooting from the line. During this stretch, the Thunder are 16-5, and have the best offense in the NBA. Against the Wizards five days ago, Westbrook went off for a season high 46 points (19-29 FG), 6 rebounds and 6 assist in a 121-112 win, and that was with Wall available, now with Wall being out for six to eight weeks due to a knee scope, Washington will look to throw multiple defenders at Russ to try and slow him down.
Paul George/Carmelo Anthony: Paul George and Carmelo Anthony pose a formidable test for most teams due to their versatility, size and skill set. George is averaging 21.2 points(37% 3FG) , 5.4 rebounds and 3 assist while Anthony is adding 17.6 points (45% FG/ 81% FT) and 5.9 rebounds per game this season as their chemistry with one another and Westbrook continues to grow. Markieff Morris, Kelly Oubre, Otto Porter and Mike Scott will have to be on point defensively yet make them work on offense if the Wizards are to have a winning chance.
Keep Steven Adams off the boards: The x-factor for the Thunder. Adams has emerged as a quality center, a center you have to game plan for. He's nearly posting a double double this season with 13.8 points (58% FG on 9.3 FGA) and 9 rebounds. He's athletic, strong, a good defender, rebounder and adequate finisher and has a strong chemistry with Westbrook who won't hesitate to feed him if the defense collapse off his drives to the basket. In the Thunders last game, against the Sixers, Adams posted 20 points (10-11 FG) and 13 rebounds in a head to head battle with all star center Joel Embiid. Against the Cavaliers, Adams dominated, to a tune of 25 points (12-13 FG) and 10 rebounds in a blowout win. .It's not just the scoring and rebounding, its the efficiency in doing so that wears teams down. Gortat, Mahinmi and Jason Smith will have their work cut out for them.
