The Thunder are back on television versus the Raptors

2014 NBA Pre-Season Game 3
	@
2-2 (Lost 2)		4-1 (Won 3)
October 17th, 2014
INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS
7:00 PM Central Daylight Time
TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma
Injury Report: Mitch McGary, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Reggie Jackson, Kendrick Perkins, Serge Ibaka, Nick Collison, Anthony Morrow, and Grant Jerrett (Out), Lucas Nogiera (Out)
Previous Matchups: Dec 22 (L 104-98), Mar 21 (W 119-118)
Probable Starters
Sebastian Telfair	PG	Kyle Lowry
Jeremy Lamb	SG	Terrence Ross
Perry Jones III	SF	Bruno Caboclo
Lance Thomas	PF	Amir Johnson
Steven Adams	C	Jonas Valanciunas

The pre-season might as well have been an extended bench scrimmage for Scott Brooks so far. Though there have been real injuries, Scott Brooks has been extremely cautious about giving any key player too many minutes. Last night was probably the most extreme example, as the Thunder held 9 of their 14 active roster players out of an untelevised game against the Pelicans. Meanwhile, the Pelicans only sat Eric Gordon and John Salmons, proceeding to absolutely roll over the Thunder's B-team.

Tonight, it's uncertain whether Scott Brooks will be more willing to show his real lineup. Historically, the Thunder have gotten a bit more serious about pre-season games as they're progressed, but they've never really gone to the extent of playing their starters in the fourth quarter. Since this is a home game in an area which the Thunder consider to be home turf, I'm expecting at least a few players to come out and show their stuff.

What they'll see in the Raptors is a very well-rehearsed offense that likes to slow things down, use the space of the floor, and move the ball from sideline to sideline. The starters are a bit more defensively focused, but the game will likely open up once Amir Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas are out of the picture. National team ace and leading Raptors scorer Demar DeRozan didn't play in the Raptors last game against Boston, but it was only so he could rest. He may be in action tonight.

In any case, tune in for a nice idea of what the guys at the end of our bench can do. You never know when they might become handy during a critical juncture. But unless a whole lot of players come off the IR tonight, the Thunder will be blown to smithereens.

Prediction: Toronto Raptors 96, Oklahoma City Thunder 86.

What do you think of tonight's game? Drop a comment and let us know!