Thunder Game Day: OKC Faces 76ers in Battle of MVP Candidates

Oklahoma City is looking to make a statement against one of the best teams in the East.

The Oklahoma City Thunder enter Saturday on a six-game winning streak and playing their best basketball of the rebuild era.

The Thunder’s matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers will feature two MVP-caliber players: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Joel Embiid. The reigning MVP is averaging 31.9 points this season after leading the league in scoring the past two years.

Both MVP-caliber candidates form dangerous duos with their young star teammates. Tyrese Maxey and Chet Holmgren have both bolstered their teams and helped set them near the top of their respective conferences.

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ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 1.5-point underdogs to the Philadelphia 76ers, and the total over/under is 231.5 points.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

The most significant matchup will be Holmgren against Embiid. The Thunder rookie has been the defensive anchor inside, and against one of the best big men in the league, he will have his work cut out for him.

Averaging 2.3 blocks, Holmgren has been a major key to Oklahoma City’s top-five defense. While the Gonzaga product has been instrumental, rookie Cason Wallace’s success has also been a welcome surprise to the team.

With Jalen Williams out with a hip injury, Wallace will likely make his third start. The Kentucky product will probably spend time on Maxey throughout the game and look to slow down one of the league’s top-10 scorers.

Another backcourt player could have a big game against his former team. Former Philadelphia guard Isaiah Joe is making nearly three 3-pointers per game for Oklahoma City and is one of the only players to shoot better than 50% from outside, while Oklahoma City is the league’s best shooting team at 40.8%.

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (11-4) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (10-5)

INJURIES:

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

WHEN:

Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, at 4:00 PM CT

LOCATION:

Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, OK

TV/RADIO:

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

FINAL WORD:

If the Thunder can win on Saturday, it will be their first seven-game winning streak since 2019. The game would also put the Thunder at first in the Western Conference.

On Tuesday, the Thunder heads back on the road for their final In-Season Tournament game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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