Thunder vs Kings preview and gamethread: Westbrook returns as OKC looks to exact revenge in Sacramento

Game: Oklahoma City Thunder @ Sacramento Kings

Time: 9PM CST

Location: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA

Broadcast: NBATV, FSOK

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UPDATE:

The Brodie is back.

But...

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The Thunder head to Sacramento looking to extend their current winning streak to three games, and against a Kings squad that is currently spiraling a bit. The Kings have been one of the early surprises this season, getting off to a quick start and impressive wins, one of which against our very own Thunder, where many things went wrong.

Since then, the Kings do what they Kings do, and you can learn more about that at the great SacTown Royalty site. They will be looking to right the ship and perhaps create distraction from the tumult of the front office, and clearly they had the Thunder’s number the last time out. This time, OKC will still be without Russell Westbrook, who is questionable, as is Alex Abrines. Starting shooting guard Terrance Ferguson remains out:

What this means for the Thunder is they will once again need to rely on some outstanding play from Paul George, who has been in all-star form as of late. Coupled with that, look for how effectively the Thunder can keep Steven Adams incorporated in the offensive flow. The Kings are light up front and Adams should have matchup advantages, but it is up to Dennis Schroder, Raymond Felton and others to keep him engaged. Meanwhile, look for OKC to once again test Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot to see if he can solidify himself in the bench rotation. After a slow start, he finished well in Phoenix.

Ultimately, this game will go the way the last Suns game did if OKC can maintain the defensive focus that was sorely lacking the last time out.

And also, don’t look ahead.