Oklahoma City Thunder host the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday: NBA Preview
Oklahoma City Thunder are all set to face off against a fellow playoff bound team i.e. the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK.
However they will have to go into the matchup without their strongest player off the bench, James Harden, who is out with a concussion.
It will be a clash between two of the fast paced teams in the Western Conference, both sides being known for their quick in transition style of play. It is almost guaranteed to be a high scoring intense matchup and the previous
matchup between the two proves the fact.
Last time around, OKC needed an overtime to defeat the Nuggets with a score of 124-118. Kevin Durant had a career high night of 51 points and will be looking to do something similar of sorts to stay ahead in the race of becoming
the scoring champion for the third time running.
OKC who seem to have slowed down in the closing stages of the season will come into the game having won one and lost one in their previous two outings.
In their last game against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, Kevin Durant notched up 32 points to help the Thunder register a comeback win.
With the playoffs just around the corner, Durant will be looking to end the season on a strong note while getting ready for the post season action. Durant contemplated on his high scoring run.
"That's what the fans want to see, I guess," said Durant, "But for me as a player, all I'm worried about is getting better."
OKC`s coach Scott Brooks shares a similar mentality and has come out to say that it does not matter who they play, they will be looking to end the season as strong as possible.
"We're not going to stop now. No matter who plays, we still have a standard that we have to make sure (we play up to a high standard)." – Scott Brooks.
On the other hand, Denver still have to secure the number sixth spot in the Western Conference and will look to do so in any one of the remaining two regular season games.
But seeing the season they have had so far, from being down on the 9th spot to be able to turn thing around and qualify for the post season is an achievement in its own.
"I never backed away from the playoffs," Coach George Karl told the Nuggets' official website. "I always thought we were going to be a playoff team, and I think we can still have a chance to be a good playoff team."
Denver have a tough task on hand as they try to stop Durant and company who have won the previous four matches between the two with a fair margin of 10.3 points. Durant has also been spectacular in the 22 games he has played against
the Nuggets, while averaging 30.3 points in each of those games.
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