Tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET on TNT the Oklahoma City Thunder (42-35) will host the San Antonio Spurs (51-32) as they try desperately to hang on to the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Live stream the game free by clicking this link. Thunder fans can hear the radio broadcast on WWLS 98.1, while San Antonio fans may do likewise on 1200 WOAI.
Oklahoma City is struggling to fend off the New Orleans Pelicans in the chase for the last spot in the Western postseason hunt, and they'll have a big task ahead of them in stopping the Spurs' surging offense. Oklahoma City's defense has fallen apart of late-they've given up 100 or more points in three straight losses-and recently surrendered 135 points in regulation to the Dallas Mavericks.
The defensive cratering has much to do with the absence of power forward Serge Ibaka, who will be out again tonight. Offensively though, point guard Russell Westbrook has kept them afloat with MVP-caliber production.
"He understands that the rest is important to come back with a full tank every night, and he has done that," coach Scott Brooks said. "He's a special player, and he's at a high level in that regard. He has the energy that can fill an entire arena, and he's done a good job of recharging his batteries night in and night out."
The Spurs may try to put their star defender, Kawhi Leonard, on him at times to see if he can slow the rampage. Lately Leonard's play has taken off, and the Spurs have taken off with him.
"He is really playing confidently, but he hasn't forgotten to predicate his game on defense and on the boards," coach Gregg Popovich said. "It kind of fuels him offensively."
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