Gameday Primer: Wolves @ Thunder

By: Zach More

The Wolves have a weird 5:00pm start time for tonight's game. I for one am okay with this. I get to watch the full game and still have my Saturday night.

The Thunder (4-1) have played very well to begin their first season without Kevin Durant. Russell Westbrook is playing with a chip on his shoulder and is putting up an absolutely ridiculous stat-line of: 34.2/9.6/10. Westbrook is out to prove that OKC can still be a playoff team without Durant.

The Wolves (1-3) are coming off another disappointing loss where they lead by 15 points at one points at one point. Like we have seen way too often this year, the Wolves played well in every quarter but the 3rd, unfortunately they play so bad in the 3rd that they lose the lead and eventually the game.

What: Wolves @ Thunder
When: 5:00pm CT
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena - Oklahoma City, OK.
Where: to watch: Fox Sports North
Where: to listen: 830 WCCO Radio

What to watch for:

Westbrook vs Dunn: With Dunn making his second start of his career he will be facing easily his toughest opponent. As I mentioned above, Westbrook is having an amazing year and would seem to have the upper hand in all aspects of the game over Dunn. Dunn will have to limit the number of gambles he takes on the defensive end and limit turnovers on offense. For the Wolves to have a chance they will have to take care of the ball and not let this OKC team get out and run in transition. 

Can the Wolves play a full game: If the Wolves were able to take out the 3rd quarter of games this year they would most likely be sitting at 4-0 and be one of the top stories of the NBA. They obviously can't do that and here we sit at 1-3. There is no specific reason of why the Wolves have collapsed in the 3rd which makes it even harder to correct. Ball movement and defense seem to be the most glaring reasons to me. This might be a situation where Thibs needs to go to Bjelica a little earlier in the quarter or play match-ups more.

Quick Notes

Wolves are shooting 41% from 3 on the year, where OKC is only allowing opponents to shoot 29%.

Wolves are currently tied for 7th in points allowed per game at 97.5ppg.

Wolves are still top 10 in point differential despite their 1-3 record.

Prediction

I believe KAT and Wiggins are in for big games but Westbrook is going to be too much for the Wolves and will lead OKC to a 104-95 victory. Kris Dunn will show flashes of brilliance but will turn the ball over 5 times.

Thanks for reading. Enjoy the game and your weekend. Go Wolves.