Russell Westbrook / Thabo Sefolosha / Kevin Durant / Jeff Green / Nenad Krstic
VS
Brandon Jennings / Charlie Bell / Carlos Delfino / Ersan Ilyasova / Dan Gadzuric
Matchup
OKC gets their first national TV action of the year against Milwaukee. Both teams have some injury problems, Milwaukee will be without Andrew Bogut and it looks like Luc Ricard Mbah a Moute might not play either. Both absences are a great boon to the home team as Bogut's an adept center and LRMAM is the Bucks best wing defender. OKC looks to be down three point guards (!) in this one with the injuries to Shaun Livingston, Kevin Ollie, and Kyle Weaver. Recently signed Mike Wilks will probably see some minutes, but I'm guessing Brooks will look more to James Harden / Kevin Durant to bring the ball up and initiate offense when Westbrook is not in the game.
Of course the most interesting matchup is Jennings / Westbrook. I don't see Thabo guarding Jennings because of the latter's quickness, so RW is going to have to turn in an uncharacteristically good defensive game. The Bucks really don't have all that much offensive punch when Jennings doesn't have it going, they seem to get a lot of timely offense by commitee from guys like Luke Ridnour, Ersan Ilyasova, etc. Michael Redd is looking to bounce back as well.
Both teams are young and looking to prove themselves on a national stage. OKC cannot take these guys lightly.
Some Numbers
OKC is 6th in defensive rating. Milwaukee is 5th. Milwaukee will be without a couple of their good defenders in this game, however.
OKC has had the 7th toughest schedule in the league to date, while Milwaukee has had one of the easiest.
Milwaukee is shooting over 38% from three point range, OKC is giving up only about 30%.
A Question
With three point guards hurt do we throw Mike Wilks into the fire or see what James Harden can do with some extended PG minutes?
