2017 has not been kind to the Thunder, who’ve lost their first three games in January. But they finally earned a much-needed W on Saturday night, beating the visiting Nuggets, 121-106.
Russell Westbrook recorded his 17th triple-double of the season with 32 points, 17 rebounds and 11 assists, while also draining seven threes. Steven Adams and Victor Oladipo, meanwhile, pitched in 16 and 15 points respectively on a night where OKC drained nearly 50 percent of its shot attempts.
On average, the Thunder are scoring 106.8 points per game, the eight-most in the league today. Their defense, however, is allowing close to that with 105.3 points per outing, including 115.7 in the last three.
Giving up that many points doesn’t bode well for OKC in tonight’s road game with Chicago—a team that ranks sixth-best in scoring defense and one that’s been racking up the points of late. But when you have a triple-double machine like Westbrook on your side, there’s always a chance for victory.
The Thunder are 14-3 whenever Westbrook puts up a triple-double this season.
Jimmy Butler’s playing out of his mind right now, averaging 38.0 points, 9.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists through three games this month. Chicago went both 3-0 straight up and against the spread during that stretch, and will hope to carry over that momentum in this evening’s showdown with OKC.
The Bulls have won three of the last four meetings in this matchup, including both encounters in the past season. But Butler’s struggled through seven career games with the Thunder, managing to put up just 10.7 points on 36.9 shooting. And if that becomes the case, look for Dwyane Wade and the second unit to lend a helping hand offensively.
Wade had 20 points and seven assists in the come-from-behind win against the Raptors on Saturday night, while Nikola Mirotic and Doug McDermott chipped in 12 and 17 points off the bench, respectively. The latter has scored in double digits in his last five contests.
On the other end of the floor, containing Russell Westbrook is obviously the main agenda. The Bulls haven’t really done enough to limit the OKC point guard, who is piling up career numbers of 22.6 points, 7.1 assists and 5.9 rebounds against them.
Writer’s Prediction
Butler stays hot, leading Chicago (+1.5) to its fourth-straight win, 104-99.
