Thunder Game Day: OKC Caps Off Post-Christmas Back-to-Back Against Knicks
The Oklahoma City Thunder will look to carry momentum from Tuesday’s game as an interconference foe comes to town.
The New York Knicks come into Oklahoma City, where they will look to win for the second straight season. In November 2022, the Knicks’ left-handed trio all scored at least 25 points to get a win.
But this season will be the first time Tom Thibodeau’s team will face Chet Holmgren. Against a short-handed Knicks’ front court, he could cause problems.
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ODDS:
The Thunder enter the day as 2.5-point favorites against the Knicks, and the total over/under is 238.5 points.
KEYS TO THE GAME:
Holmgren will hold down the middle for the Thunder against Julius Randle and Isaiah Hartenstein. At 9.4 rebounds per game this season, keeping Randle off the glass will be a must for Holmgren and the Thunder.
On the perimeter, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Brunson will highlight the guard matchups. Looking to make his first All-Star game this season, Brunson is averaging 26.1 points and 5.9 assists.
The 6-foot-2 guard is coming off a 38-point outburst against the Milwaukee Bucks on Christmas. Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander will enter the second night of a back-to-back after a stellar outing against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Thunder’s star put up 34 points, six rebounds and nine assists against the top seed in the West. Against the Knicks, the Thunder may need a similar output.
But this game may come down to the battle of the third stars, RJ Barrett and Jalen Williams. Both are coming off good performances, and whoever goes for another 20-point outing could get their team a win.
RECORDS:
Oklahoma City Thunder (19-9) vs. New York Knicks (17-12)
INJURIES:
Check out our live injury tracker, along with our game day injury report that will release later today.
WHEN:
Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM CT
LOCATION:
Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, OK
TV/RADIO:
Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal
FINAL WORD:
Winning against the Eastern Conference has been a strong suit for Oklahoma City this season, going 6-1 in those matchups. With both teams coming off inspired wins, whichever team is more prepared may have the upper hand.
After this game, the Thunder will head to Denver for their third matchup of the season against the defending champion Nuggets.
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