Thunder Gameday: How Can Oklahoma City Escape Sacramento With a Win?

After winning two straight against the Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz, the Oklahoma City Thunder will once again hit the road to face the No. 6 seeded Sacramento Kings in what is shaping up to be a hard-fought game.

The Sacramento Kings have been sending the NBA mixed signals as of late.

What started with a six-game win streak that ended with back-to-back losses to the New Orleans Pelicans became a pair of wins against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors — two teams well in the mix for playoff contention in the West — and then a loss to the LA Clippers and a win against the Denver Nuggets. 

The Kings, rallying behind a surprise trip to the second round of the playoffs a season ago, have looked to pick up where they left off, but haven't quite figured it out. Currently, they sit at the No. 6 seed with a strong resume, but also a pretty size-able list of weaknesses. 

Whether it's low production in the second quarter or giving up blowout losses instead of close ones, Sacramento will be a threat to the Oklahoma City Thunder's two-game win streak if it's not careful. Oklahoma City is another top-tier Western Conference squad, so based on the Kings' schedule, it's impossible to tell how they'll fare. 

But the stage is set. Golden 1 Center is ready to welcome the West's No. 2 seed, and both teams are prepared to walk off the court with a win.

Nov 10, 2023; Sacramento, California, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) is guarded by Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis (23) during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center.  / © Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

ODDS:

The Thunder enters the day as a 1.5-point underdog to the Kings, with the game's total over/under set at 242.5 Odds for Oklahoma City to fly home victorious are set at +105.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

Last time out, the Thunder lost a close game to the Kings. It was out-rebounded, out-assisted and even outshot, which made for a sound loss. Simply put, it was outplayed. 

Since then, Oklahoma City has found a groove and has stuck with it — entering the game with only a worse record than the top-seeded Timberwolves. But it's also garnered the praise that Sacramento received a year ago. 

The Thunder has the pieces, and from the jump, it's put the league on notice. That much was expected, especially considering the masterclass that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander typically puts on along with Chet Holmgren's unique two-way capabilities. It makes sense why it's being compared, but after losing to the Kings, it'll have to redeem itself to truly validate the complimentary nature of that comparison.

In order for the Thunder to win, it'll have to rely heavily on the boards. Keeping the Kings, who hold the league's highest offensive rebounding percentage, off the glass and getting more second-chance opportunities will be crucial for Oklahoma City. 

If it can do that, as well as benefit from another Gilgeous-Alexander masterclass and Holmgren defensive domination, it should be able to come away with a road victory.

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (15-7) vs Sacramento Kings (13-9)

INJURIES:

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

WHEN:

Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023 at 9 p.m. CST

LOCATION:

Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, CA

TV/RADIO:

Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

FINAL WORD:

Snagging a win on the road in Sacramento could be all the momentum the Thunder needs to travel to Denver with a head of steam. Besting the Kings and Nuggets in back-to-back matchups won't be easy, but it's certainly doable. 

It just needs to win on Thursday night first.

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