Thunder Game Day: OKC Looks to Carry Momentum Against Magic in Matchup of 2022’s Top Draft Picks

The Oklahoma City Thunder will get their first look at an Eastern Conference riser this season.

The Thunder will face the Orlando Magic, hoping to build on the fifth-largest win in league history. Since moving to Oklahoma City, the Thunder have been dominant at home against the Magic, winning 12 of 15 matchups.

Saturday’s game will feature the first matchup between the top two picks from the 2022 NBA Draft. Big men Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero were set to face off early last season before Holmgren’s injury kept him out for the season.

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 11.5-point favorites against the Magic, and the total over/under is 232.5 points.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

After their 62-point win against Portland on Thursday, Oklahoma City will need to refocus for a much tougher opponent. With the second-best defensive rating in the league, Orlando could cause problems on that end.

Much like the Thunder, the Magic’s defense is focused on forcing turnovers. While the Thunder are the league’s best at forcing turnovers, the Magic are one of just four teams that force opponents into 15 turnovers per game.

Fortunately for the Thunder, they have one of the least turnover-prone guards in the league in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The MVP candidate has averaged 32.8 points and 6.4 assists in his past 10 games while averaging only 1.8 turnovers.

After playing in Miami on Friday, the Magic will enter Paycom Center on the second night of a back-to-back. In that situation this season, they are just 2-5.

Considering the Thunder’s success at home this season, they have a great opportunity to build on their three-game winning streak.

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (26-11) vs. Orlando Magic (21-17)

INJURIES:

Check out our live injury tracker, along with our game day injury report that will release later today.

WHEN:

Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at 7:00 PM CT

LOCATION:

Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, OK

TV/RADIO:

Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

Live Stream: fuboTV (Start Your Free Trial)

FINAL WORD:

With a win against the Magic, the Thunder will move back into a tie with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the No. 1 seed in the West. With Minnesota facing the LA Clippers on Sunday, the Thunder could enter their next game atop the conference.

That game will be against the Los Angeles Lakers as the Thunder begin a back-to-back in Crypto.com Arena on Monday.

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