The Raptors will step on the court at Chesapeake Arena Wednesday night for only their second road game of the season, as the schedule difficulty meter ramps up (8 of the next 10 are outside the confines of the ACC). They are coming into the matchup after a lethargic second half display and loss against the Sacramento Kings. Oklahoma City looks to be a tougher challenge, albeit a very different one.
The Thunder won 6 of their first 7 games behind Russell Westbrook’s revenge tour heroics, the most impressive victory coming at the Staples Center against the Clippers (their only loss of the year). Here are some handpicked statistical categories (courtesy of basketball-reference.com) showing each club’s latest league ranking, sample size be damned:
There are some similarities in the offensive approach for both teams so far this season, as they rank in the bottom third of the league in assist ratio and 3-point attempts. It’s worth noting that the Raptors currently rank dead last in shooting percentage from behind the arc, contributing to the low assist figure.
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To help shed light on the Thunder’s early season success, I reached out to Adam Joseph of Welcome to Loud City Thunder community, BBallBreakdown and Today’s Fastbreak among other publications, who gracefully answered the call.
Alex Gres: Enes Kanter is tied for 2nd on the team with a defensive rating of 94. It’s still early in the year, but does the eye test confirm that he’s no longer the defensive sieve opponents look to exploit?
Adam Joseph: That’s a tough question. He’s only playing 18 minutes per game, and that statistic is skewed by the fact he was only played 3 minutes against the Warriors. He is improving though. His awareness has always been a huge issue, but he’s getting better at closeouts and general defensive awareness. That reputation will haunt him, but in Billy Donovan’s tenure he has certainly taken strides forward.
Alex Gres: Sabonis was a guy many Raptor fans were high on, but Ujiri ended up going with Poetl at number 9. What’s your initial impression of the rookie so far? Is he really shooting 47% from 3?
Adam Joseph: Well that percentage certainly isn’t sustainable! But he fits really well into what the Thunder need at the 4, and Sabonis has stated he loves playing there rather than the 5. It’s likely why Sam Presti was perfectly happy dealing Ersan Ilyasova. He has foul issues, but so did Steven Adams. That’s nothing to worry about. He’s a serious All-Rookie First Team candidate, in my opinion. It’s early days though!
Alex Gres: Based on what you’ve seen from the Westbrook show so far, have your pre–season expectations for the Durant–less Thunder changed at all?
Adam Joseph: Not really, as I refuse to allow such a small sample size to skew my perceptions too much. Their defense is superb, but the Warriors offense torched it last Thursday. They are very good on that end though, currently 4th in defensive rating and holding the league to the lowest three point percentage which is a huge improvement. Make no mistake though, health permitting this team is right in the race for important Playoff seeding below the Warriors, Clippers and Spurs bracket.
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The Main Event – Russell Westbrook vs. DeMar DeRozan
The two all-stars are breathing fire to start the year, each with their own chip on their shoulder. Westbrook wants to keep the Thunder relevant despite losing Kevin Durant, while DeRozan is on a warpath to discredit SI. Russ’ monstrous line is a near triple double at 30.4 points, 9.9 assists and 8.4 rebounds. DeRozan answers with 33.7 points (at a higher field goal percentage), 2.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds.
Both guys are likely to put up big numbers in this one, but it’s their efficiency that may swing the pendulum in favour of one team or the other. DeRozan will be shadowed by the long defensive presence of Andre Roberson for much of the game, the prototypical defender he often struggles against. However, this year has shown an improved, more cerebral DeRozan, less bothered by defenders in one on one situations, and he’ll look to demonstrate that once again.
Meanwhile, the sophomore some in the North have labeled Russell Westbrook 2.0 (in jest?), Norman Powell, may get the opportunity to slow down the triple-double machine if and when Lowry and Joseph need a breather. The comparison aside, Powell’s combination of 6’11 wingspan, quickness and defensive intensity seem tailor-made to guard an un-guardable point guard, and it will be interesting to see if he can hold up.
Projected Lineups
Thunder:
PG: Russell Westbrook, Semaj Christon
SG: Victor Oladipo, Alex Abrines, Anthony Morrow
SF: Andre Roberson, Kyle Singer, Josh Huestis
PF: Domantas Sabonis, Jerami Grant, Nick Collison
C: Steven Adams, Enes Kanter, Joffrey Lauvergne, Dakari Johnson
Out: Cameron Payne
Raptors:
PG: Kyle Lowry, Cory Joseph, Fred VanVleet
SG: DeMar DeRozan, Norman Powell
SF: DeMarre Carroll, Terrence Ross
PF: Pascal Siakam, Patrick Patterson
C: Jakob Poeltl, Lucas Nogueira
GTD: Jonas Valanciunas (travelled with the team, but did not practice Tuesday)
Out: Delon Wright, Jared Sullinger
Also, this happened:
Carroll was the last Raptors player getting shots up after practice today, said he hit 85 of 100 3s, which he was told is a new team record
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) November 8, 2016
