1/9 | G39: Oklahoma City Thunder at Chicago Bulls | 7PM CST

[Thabo Sefolosha]

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THUNDER at BULLS
7PM CST |
Location: United Center
Thunder: 22-16 | #7 in West
Bulls: 19-18 | #8 in East

Next Game: Wed, Jan 11th vs Memphis Grizzlies
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| NBA.com | | Thunder.com | | ESPN.com/NBA

[RedBulls23]

This should be a fun match-up.

I really hope Russ and Jimmy put on a show.

[ducler]

[RunOKC]

Must. Get. Win.

Really need to get a 3-4 game win streak going before that brutal stretch at the end.

[getrichordie]

Must. Get. Win.

Really need to get a 3-4 game win streak going before that brutal stretch at the end.

We really need this win, I agree. Unfortunately, the Bulls are on a roll and playing at home, just having beat the Hornets, Cavaliers, and Raptors. Butler is coming off a 42-point game so let's see how Roberson fairs defensively against Butler. Oladipo versus Wade should be an interesting match up as well. I'll be excited to see that one. By the way, haven't been following Chicago closely, but who is running point? Based on their game against Raptors, looks to be a three-headed dragon of Wade, Carter-Williams, and Jerian Grant. None of those guys can stay in front of Westbrook so I expect Westbrook to eat them up.

Simulations are saying Bulls are winning 65% of the time but those same simulations aren't accounting for Cameron Payne. Hopefully Payne's presence and the Thunder's pride will kick in and we can pull this thing out.

[ThunderBolt]

Butler has the flu and is a game time decision. I hope this doesn't get spread to our team.

[getrichordie]

Butler has the flu and is a game time decision. I hope this doesn't get spread to our team.

Haha, you should be the damn team doctor. You at home and you are worried about our team getting the flu.

Watch Butler come out and have his own flu game!

[SvenniSterki]

Isnt Bulls a pretty good team for OKC matchup wise? Unless their streaky shooters are on fire....

[getrichordie]

Isnt Bulls a pretty good team for OKC matchup wise? Unless their streaky shooters are on fire....

I think so.

Carter-Williams/Westbrook
Wade/Oladipo
Butler/Roberson
Gibson/Sabonis
Lopez/Adams

Starting lineup is a good match up but we will struggle if McDermott plays heavy minutes and plays well. That would really stretch our defense. Just make Butler beat us and guard the rest of the squad.

[getrichordie]

Here we go! #ThunderUp!

[getrichordie]

Sabonis/Adams looking strong on offense inside the paint early. Let's keep that up. I don't like it when Westbrook pulls up early in the shot-clock for a contested jumper. Hate that possession. Hate putting the ball in Roberson's hands unless it's on a cut or a catch-and-shoot 3. Luckily Oladipo makes a couple of nice plays to put us up by a couple of buckets.

[getrichordie]

We are doing a good job of keeping the ball out of Butler's hands and forcing shots from guys like MCW and Lopez. Westbrook is playing calm-ish so that's good. I just hope he doesn't go on tilt if Bulls make a surge.

[RunOKC]

2nd quarter implosion happening again?

[RunOKC]

Also every time Wade touches the ball they're going to call a foul apparently

[RunOKC]

Westbrook is unstoppable when he goes to the rim

So frustrating when he pulls up for 3 not in rhythm of the offense

[SvenniSterki]

Westbrook is unstoppable when he goes to the rim

So frustrating when he pulls up for 3 not in rhythm of the offense

Agree!!

Also, maybe its a matchup thing, but the defense looked much better with Adams playing the last minutes of 1st Q, when Russ was sitting. Maybe we will see more of that?

[InTheSabonus]

Westbrook is unstoppable when he goes to the rim

So frustrating when he pulls up for 3 not in rhythm of the offense

And with that last one, Russ gets it over, stops, Donovan calls for everyone to spread the floor, presumably so Russ can drive, only for Russ to ignore that in favour of an immediate pullup 3 brick from deep.

[RunOKC]

Westbrook is unstoppable when he goes to the rim

So frustrating when he pulls up for 3 not in rhythm of the offense

And with that last one, Russ gets it over, stops, Donovan calls for everyone to spread the floor, presumably so Russ can drive, only for Russ to ignore that in favour of an immediate pullup 3 brick from deep.

Westbrook laughs at both of us.

[InTheSabonus]

Westbrook is unstoppable when he goes to the rim

So frustrating when he pulls up for 3 not in rhythm of the offense

And with that last one, Russ gets it over, stops, Donovan calls for everyone to spread the floor, presumably so Russ can drive, only for Russ to ignore that in favour of an immediate pullup 3 brick from deep.

Westbrook laughs at both of us.

It makes such a difference for his 3 point shooting when he actually stops and sets his feet.

[Osirus89]

One underrated thing about kanter is his ability to draw double teams. It didn't matter as much before, but now that he is passing more it makes him very dangerous. Man the player he would be if his defense was just average....