Thunder Game Day: OKC Looks to Continue Hot Streak in NYE Game Against Brooklyn
After a string of impressive wins, the Oklahoma City Thunder will look to close out 2023 on top.
The Thunder are hosting their annual New Year’s Eve game against the Brooklyn Nets. Although the Nets have struggled recently, the Thunder need to be sure there is no letdown.
Sandwiched between games against the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics, this is a game that a young team could easily overlook. But considering the Thunder’s record against teams under .500, that may not be an issue.
Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
ODDS:
The Thunder enter the day as 7.5-point favorites against the Nets, and the total over/under is 235.5 points.
KEYS TO THE GAME:
Beating Brooklyn should be a simple task for Oklahoma City. Simply put, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and company need to stick with what has worked.
Part of what has worked so well for the Thunder is forcing turnovers, but the Nets are one of the best teams in the league when it comes to taking care of the ball. While both teams are good at not turning it over, the Nets force turnovers at a lower rate than every other team in the NBA. Following a four-turnover outing against the New York Knicks a few days ago, the Thunder could have a similar performance on Sunday.
Having won only two of its past nine games, both against the league-worst Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn will rely on Cam Thomas and Mikal Bridges to score, with both averaging north of 20 points this season. Meanwhile, the battle inside will be between Nic Claxton and Chet Holmgren, both skilled shot blockers and defenders.
After battling Nikola Jokic last game, Holmgren will have an opportunity to continue his hot streak against another good big man.
RECORDS:
Oklahoma City Thunder (21-9) vs. Brooklyn Nets (15-17)
INJURIES:
Check out our live injury tracker, along with our game day injury report that will release later today.
WHEN:
Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, at 6:00 PM CT
LOCATION:
Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, OK
TV/RADIO:
Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal
FINAL WORD:
With another win, Oklahoma City would enter 2024 as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. It is a reminder of how remarkable the young team’s rise has been after entering 2023 as the 13th-best team in the West.
After recently beating the top seed in the West and the defending champions, the Thunder will play the Boston Celtics, which have the league’s best record, on Tuesday.
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