By Paris Lawson | Broadcast and Digital Reporter | okcthunder.com
The Thunder returns to action inside of Paycom Center to take on the Denver Nuggets for the second time this season. OKC holds the 1-0 series edge so far this season after defeating the Nuggets, 108-94, back in December.
- Defensive Emphasis – Following a tough loss to the Timberwolves on Friday, the biggest point of emphasis for the Thunder postgame was on the defensive end. OKC’s offense managed to keep pace with the Timberwolves for a large portion of the game, but its defense couldn’t reel in Minnesota’s hot shooting. By the end of the night, the Wolves shot 41 percent from deep and dished out 38 assists.
On Sunday, the Thunder will face another opponent with high-level ball movement and offensive fire power. Denver is fresh off a 122-111 win over the Sacramento Kings where seven players scored in double figures thanks to 36 assists on the night. Be on the lookout for the Thunder to implement physicality and force on the defensive end of the floor in order to cause more disruption to the Nuggets’ offense.
- Joker Watch – The head of the snake for Denver’s offense is reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic who averages a team-high 26 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists per night. The Joker’s facilitating played a key factor in Denver’s balanced offensive attack on Friday night as he was responsible for 15 points via assists. It will take a sharp defensive effort to limit Jokic’s scoring, but a connected 5-man shell to limit his facilitating.
- Production in the Paint – Keep an eye on the paint points in this one. Denver is coming off one of its best paint scoring nights of the season after scoring 70 against the Kings on Friday. However, the last time these teams met back in December, the Thunder found success getting inside the lane and outscored the Nuggets 63 to 36 in paint points which marked a season-high plus-24 paint scoring differential.
Thunder rookie Aaron Wiggins finished Friday night’s contest with 13 points which marked his seventh consecutive game scoring in double figures. The two-way wing has now logged the longest streak by a Thunder rookie this season and has tied for the third longest streak in Thunder rookie history.
“I think he’s really learning how to be aggressive inside of his role,” said Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault following the Minnesota game. “With catch and shoots, cuts, offensive rebounds, driving opportunities – he’s really played a simple game but an aggressive game and right now in the role that he’s in, that’s the way he needs to play and he’s done a nice job of that.”
“It was a good opportunity to get out there and go and wash the taste out of our mouths from last night too. I think sometimes coming in just competing and sweating together is a good way to turn the page. I thought we did that today.”
— Coach Daigneault on a rare practice opportunity
The Nuggets (19-18) snapped a two-game losing streak on Friday with a comfortable 121-111 win over the Sacramento Kings. In that ball game, Denver showcased a balanced scoring attack with seven players in double-figures and 32 assists on 47 made field goals. Jokic led all scorers with a near triple double performance of 33 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Jeff Green returned from health and safety protocols and led Denver’s bench unit with 18 points