Thunder vs Bucks preview and gamethread: OKC looks to hold onto 6th seed against resting Milwaukee squad

Game: Oklahoma City Thunder at Milwaukee Bucks

Time: 7:00PM CST

Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee

Broadcast: FSOK, FSWIS

Counterpart: Brew Hoop

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Hello, OKC Thunder family and friends. I write this to you riding atop the waves of last night’s joy. Paul George’s last second heroics almost make up for facing MVP frontrunners 2 games in a row.

Yes, despite our lingering joy, we must look ahead. Tonight, the Thunder take on the best team in the East, the Milwaukee Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo.

But without Giannis.

The game got much easier when the team announced he and Brook Lopez, along with Tony Snell, Malcolm Brogdon, Nikola Mirotic, and Pau Gasol are also listed as out. But as we know with OKC, nothing comes easy.

Here is what is on the line:

After last night versus Houston, Oklahoma City drastically changed their playoff seeding scenarios.

Utah won their game, which locks them for the 5 seed. OKC won their game, which effectively kicked the Clippers out of the 6 seed spot. As of writing, OKC could be the 6, 7, or the 8 seed. San Antonio could be the 6, 7, or 8 seed. The Clippers could be the 7 or the 8.

To be brief, we need to win tonight to hold onto the 6 seed. The only way OKC can be the 6 seed with a loss is if San Antonio loses to Dallas. So tonight, you are a Thunder and a Mavs fan (and probably a Portland fan).

The 6 seed is important. There are some who think it’s the best playoff seeding scenario for the underdog. The team sitting at 6th will avoid the 1 seed until the conference finals. If we get the 6 seed and win, we play the winner of the 2/7 matchup.

A whole lot will happen tonight, so don’t lose focus. We want Dallas to win.

The last time these two teams met was January of this year, and the Thunder won by 6 points, 118-112. Let’s hope we repeat tonight.