Suns vs. Thunder: Pregame Primer

vs.

Phoenix Suns (17-20, 7-11 road) vs. OKC Thunder (30-8, 16-1 home)

TV: FS OK (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 754)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CT

Offensive Rating: Thunder – 108.6 (2nd), Suns– 102.6 (18th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 102.3 (13th), Suns – 104.5 (18th)
Pace: Thunder – 93.4 (5th), Suns – 92.1 (10th)

View from the enemy: Valley of the Suns

Thus starts a little bit of a low stretch at home for the Thunder. Oklahoma City has been rolling at home, which is sometimes what makes these type of games dangerous. You’re playing a team that isn’t upper tier and you almost feel like you can show up and win because you’re at home. The Suns aren’t great, but certainly possess the necessary tools to beat anyone.

Phoenix coming in: The Suns played Sunday beating Sacramento.

Three Big Things

1. Steve Nash. Pretty self explanatory. He’s good.

2. Perimeter protection. The Suns have some quality marksmen from outside and if Nash gets the pick-and-roll going and is able to kick out to open shooters, the Thunder could find themselves in a fourth quarter game.

3. The hammer from Poland. Marcin Gortat was a tough matchup for OKC in the first matchup and has played solid basketball this season. He runs the pick-and-roll well with Nash and it’s going to be a tall task for Perk to hedge and recover all night on the Suns big man.

Tip at 7:00 CT. Home Hoops.