Golden State Warriors (9-7) at Oklahoma City Thunder (10-3)
Tipoff: Friday 11/29/2013, 5:00 PM PST
Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK
TV: CSN Bay Area and NBA TV | Radio: KNBR 680 AM
Livetweet: @LetsGoWarriors (by @goldenstatenz)
The OKC Thunder will get a chance for a revenge game for the early-season loss at #Roaracle, in which Andre Iguodala not only gave Kevin Durant a tough night shooting, but also hit the game-winner.
Without Iguodala, however, who remained home for this roadtrip although he could presumably attend the game at the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, the Warriors will turn to Harrison Barnes for the defensive assignment on Durant. Klay Thompson will still likely defend Russell Westbrook.
Meanwhile, both star point guards are going through the motions.
Although he was last seen drilling a near-30-foot shot that would only be thwarted by Iguodala’s buzzer-beating baseline jumper, Russell Westbrook has been, overall, struggling.
OKC beatwriter Darnell Mayberry had the report:
But with the Warriors in town for a rematch Friday night, could the memory of that night help bust Westbrook out of his shooting slump?
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There might not currently be a better Band-Aid.
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Golden State has dropped four of five and is playing the third of a four-game road trip. The Warriors also have allowed at least 100 points in four straight games, and they could again be without Iguodala, who’s missed the past three games due to a strained left hamstring.
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The table seems set for Westbrook to snap out of it.
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Through 10 games, Westbrook is shooting just 38.8 percent. He’s connected on only 29.3 percent of his 3-point tries. Even his free throws aren’t dropping at the rate he’s accustomed to, as he’s shooting 69.7 percent from the foul line.
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Wednesday’s win against San Antonio stands as Westbrook’s low point.
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He made just two of 16 shots, missed all five of his 3-pointers and scored a season-low six points.
Of course, now that Mayberry’s mentioned it, we can probably fully expect Westbrook to break out of his slump.
On Wednesday, Stephen Curry scored 29 points and tallied 8 assists but also committed 6 turnovers. This after helping the Warriors eek out a one-point victory at the New Orleans Pelicans, while the last play went down to Jermaine O’Neal (on two consecutive passes from Curry), instead of Curry himself. Before that were the two missed games due to his concussion. All in all, it’s evident that Curry has not yet found his #HumanTorch rhythm.
Marcus Thompson covered this in his latest post:
“I think he’s gaining a rhythm now,” coach Mark Jackson said. “It’s a rhythm that he hasn’t had. Even though he’s putting together a solid season, he hasn’t had a rhythm. I think he is close to breaking out.”
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But without all the weapons around him, Curry is having to work harder to make the action happen. In the process, he’s learning what the league’s elite players already have experienced.
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When is it time for him to score? When should he focus on setting up others? When should he attack the teeth of the defense? When should he go for the big splash? What’s the best way to get easy baskets? How does he get the most out of what’s around him?
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This process has been delayed for Curry, who often is forced to play off the ball to take advantage of his shooting. But now, there is no Jarrett Jack to run the offense, no Monta Ellis to dominate the ball, no Acie Law coming in to prevent turnovers.
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Curry is now the best facilitator and the expert finisher.
So what will it be? Curry’s “magic” or the return of Russ? Perhaps both? Or will KD just dominate? If the other Warriors ever needed a time to step up, now would be it.
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