Thunder Game Day: OKC Thunder Look to Rebound vs Suns

The Oklahoma City Thunder wrap up a two-game home stand with a clash against the Phoenix Suns.

Nov 12, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) drives to the / Zachary BonDurant-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder will wrap up a two-game home stand against the Phoenix Suns before heading out on an East Coast road swing. The Thunder attempt to bounce back from an overtime loss to the red-hot Rockets and hang in the race for the top spot in the Western Conference, while the Suns jockey for play-in positioning.

Apr 2, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots as Oklahoma / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

ODDS: 

The Thunder enter the day as 2.5-point underdogs against the Suns, and the total over/under is 227 points

KEYS TO THE GAME: 

The Oklahoma City Thunder have to force turnovers and deny Kevin Durant the ball as they did in their previous matchup. While big man Jusuf Nurkic pulled down 31 rebounds the last time these two teams tangoed the Suns were doomed by 21 turnovers in the contest. Durant was held to just 20 points.

Josh Giddey has been nothing short of fantastic this week, building on a really good month of March. The Thunder need to see the good times roll into Friday. If Giddey can continue to get to his spots and pop floaters against the Suns it will go a long way in securing the win.

Chet Holmgren has to bounce back from a no-show performance against the Rockets that featured him fouling out. Holmgren struggled with the no-big Rockets lineups that allowed the likes of Amen Thompson to play underneath him, something even Durant has struggled with throughout his career.

As Jalen Williams has shown these massive superstar flashes, tonight is a night the Santa Clara product has to look the part of a star without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in this contest as the Thunder try to keep pace with Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.

Aaron Wiggins is a spark plug for the Thunder and with the Suns scoring threats on the wing the Maryland product has to play a large chunk of minutes.

RECORDS: 

Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) vs. Phoenix Suns (43-30)

INJURIES: 

Check out our live injury tracker, along with our game day injury report that will release later today.

WHEN: 

Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:00 PM CT

LOCATION: 

Oklahoma City - Oklahoma City, OK

TV/RADIO: 

KSBI, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

Live Stream: fuboTV (Start Your Free Trial)

FINAL WORD:  

While you always prefer to win games than lose them, the Thunder will have an uphill battle without Gilgeous-Alexander who is tabbed as doubtful due to a quad contusion. Even if the Thunder's losing streak reaches two games, the rest for their star ahead of the playoffs is more beneficial than striving for the top seed in the West.

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