Tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET on TNT the Oklahoma City Thunder (18-19), trying to battle their way into the Western Conference playoffs picture, will head to Houston to face the Rockets (27-12) in a matchup that can be live streamed free by clicking this link. Thunder fans can hear the game on WWLS 98.1, while Rockets fans may do likewise on Sports Talk 790.
Oklahoma City hasn't played since January 9, giving them nearly a full week of practice to fine tune themselves and perhaps get reserve guard Reggie Jackson in functioning order.
"(It) felt like a little training camp," Durant told the team's official website. "It's all about transferring what we always know and what we're improving on -- whether it's timing, communication or execution, we have to transfer it over."
They are also integrating new shooting guard Dion Waiters into the mix, so the time off was a blessing for continuity. Waiters is loving his new surroundings in OKC even if the problem of him not being one of the top options remains.
"I'm able to play," Waiters said. "I don't got to look over my shoulder, anything like that, if I make a mistake. Coaches tell me to play, be aggressive. Be me. Once you get told that, the game's easy."
They'll get a stiff test of their new chemistry tonight against a Rockets team that gives up just 97 points per game. A major part of that defense has been superstar guard James Harden, once maligned for his laziness on that end of the court. Now, he sees it as important to stop teams, especially with their offensive firepower.
"Just come out with some energy," Harden said. "Everyone have that defensive mindset. I think we can score with any team in the league, but we can't give up 120 points."
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