Story Created:
Nov 18, 2009 at 2:46 PM CST
Story Updated:
Nov 18, 2009 at 3:12 PM CST
Its anything but magic, the
Thunder's road success is coming due to their incredibly hard work this summer and in training camp last month defensively. OKC invades the home of the defending Eastern Conference champion Magic, Orlando tonight, winner of three consecutive road games.
Last night OKC came through with an impressive 100-87 shut-down of the Heat in Miami. Impressive is the Thunder's 6-5 overall record and their 4-2 mark on the road. Oklahoma City is one of just eight teams in the NBA with at least four road triumphs this season. A season ago, it didn't garner win number four on the road until FEBRUARY 28!
Tonight will be the fourth game in five days for OKC this time versus an Orlando (8-3) squad that figures to be loaded seeking to avenge an embarrassing 102-74 blow-out loss to the Thunder 11 short days ago at the Ford Center.
Unlike that night, the Magic this time around have eight-time All-Star
Vince Carter (17.0 points per game, 44.2% from three point range) and two-time All-Star
Rashard Lewis (10.0ppg) to support from the perimeter the inside force that is
Dwight Howard (18.7ppg, 10.7rebounds per game). However, the Magic are missing All-Star point guard
Jameer Nelson (13.7ppg, 5.5assists per game), who's sidelined for 4-6 weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery this morning.
How does fatigued Oklahoma City deal head on with an ornery Orlando squad? By mustering as much energy as possible to chase the Magic off the three point line, where they average 9.5 threes made per game on an NBA-high 26 attempts per game from downtown.
In the initial meeting between these two this season the Thunder were outstanding contesting Orlando three point hoists limiting the Magic to 3 of 16 from beyond the arc. If the Thunder can again get a handle on Orlando's long range prowess, and the Thunder are number in the NBA at defending the three point line (allowing 28.3% efficiency to foes), they will give themselves a chance to sweep this Florida back to back.
Offensively, someone will need to rise to support
Kevin Durant (28.5ppg) and
Russell Westbrook (16.4ppg). Both come in with smoking hot shooting hands (Durant averaging 32.8ppg over the last five games, Westbrook 20.0ppg over the last three).
Jeff Green (15.0ppg),
Nenad Krstic (10.0ppg) and
James Harden (5.8ppg) are all capable of getting that job done.
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