What’s Happening?
The electric Oklahoma City Thunder will take on the surprising New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden Thursday night. Both teams lead their conference, the Knicks are first in the Atlantic conference while the Thunder are first in the Northwest conference. Each holds key players that provide them with victories every week. Kevin Durant is the star of the Thunder and rightfully so. He average 28.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 7.9 rebounds per game. Carmelo Anthony is the leader of the Knicks, averaging 28.2 points; Amare Stoudemire may be of help if he actually plays. ESPN sources state that he will not start against the Detroit Pistons tonight, the poor thing needs a rest.
Weaknesses
No team is perfect. Neither the Thunder nor the Knicks are exceptions to this ruling. Offensive rebounding and turnovers are a problem for the Thunder, most likely the reason the Spurs are ahead of them. Turnovers are not a problem for the Knicks, but scoring baskets are. They are tenth in the league for points scored per game. If they ever want to beat the Heat, which will most likely be the team to beat in the playoffs, they’re going to learn how to score or trade for a player who can.
Advantages
With an impressive straight up record of 44-16, the Thunder hold the statistical advantage over the Knicks with a straight up record of 36-21. The Knicks take on the Detroit Pistons tonight, leaving the Thunder for a day of rest. Both teams are young but experienced setting the game up to be fast-paced. Home court advantage is big for the Knicks – especially since they are 21-9 at home. Other than that, the Thunder have the upper hand in overall talent.
Who We Want:
The Oklahoma City Thunder are an easily likeable team. SF Kevin Durant does not start drama and is idolized by most for his outstanding talent. SF Carmelo Anthony on the other hand has players trash talking his mother. He’s portrayed as an arrogant thug who needs his friends to fight his battles with PF Kevin Garnett. Skill wise it is clear that Durant is the better small forward and also the more likeable. Being a newer team compared to the Knicks who have been around forever, they are the talented underdog of the NBA.
The Thunder are 37-23 against the spread with an average line of -7.2. They are 33-27 over, that’s where the high scoring comes in play, with an average total of 202.6. Against the spread the Knicks are 29-27-1 with an average line of -4.1. They are 28-27-2 under with an average total of 195.4. The Knicks are coming off a mere one game winning streak while the Thunder are coming off a two game win streak against the two L.A teams. It will be a high scoring game, but Durant will end the night with a big bowl of Carmelo’s.
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