




Russell Westbrook / Thabo Sefolosha / Kevin Durant / Jeff Green / Nenad Krstic
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Derek Fisher / Kobe Bryant / Ron Artest / Pau Gasol/ Andrew Bynum
Matchup
Definitely not an ideal matchup; LAL comes with two legitimate seven footers who will give our front court fits. If we are to have any chance in this game Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, Etan Thomas etc. will have to be tough on defense and the boards. Additionally, it would be a good idea to attack the bigs in this game much in the way Kevin Durant got Dwight Howard into foul trouble against Orlando. Pau Gasol looked fantastic in his first game back and Andrew Bynum was very effective in the previous overtime game. Bynum has an ankle injury that it looks like he will play through.
Thabo Sefolosha will have to have another good defensive game against Kobe Bryant. The only real favorable matchup that could be exploited here is Russell Westbrook against Derek Fisher. If RW brings his thinking cap to this one and can break down the LAL defense we'll get open shots (and hopefully make them!).
Some Numbers
Despite the last two defensive debacles, OKC is still 6th in the league in defense rating, and we are approaching the middle third of the pack in offensive rating as well (21st).
Russell Westbrook is currently sporting a 19.2 PER, good for 7th in the league among starting point guards. He's also shooting 37.5% from three point range.
Kevin Durant is 11 for 51 (21%) from three point range so far this season.
A Question
Can OKC possibly hold the LAL front court in check?