Tonight, two former Oklahoma City Thunder guards have a homecoming of sorts, but it won’t be all hugs and handshakes come tip-off.
As All-NBA guards James Harden and Russell Westbrook return to OKC — Russell’s first return since being dealt to the Houston Rockets — it remains a mystery how the recently-dealt Russell and the city he was emblematic of for more than a decade will react.
In his stead, ex-Rocket Chris Paul has been defying expectations of decline both in his own game and the franchise into which he was traded, the Thunder currently in seventh place in a contentious West, after winning eight of their last 10 games.
Houston has been making the fit with Westbrook work in the regular season, climbing up to the third slot in the West on a three-game win streak, also 8-2 over their previous 10.
Just 4.5 games separate the two franchises, and the energy likely to permeate the contest may have as much to do with the outcome as the rosters. Strong attachments are still held by Thunder fans towards Russ — but they are also proud of how well they’ve adapted and succeeded under Paul.
Russell Westbrook kept the Oklahoma City Thunder booming https://t.co/FnLw7JK0Md
— The Thunder Wire (@The_ThunderWire) January 9, 2020
However the Thunder home crowd treats their former franchise icon, they’ll have to win without forward Danilo Gallinari (calf), center Nerlens Noel (ankle) and Andre Roberson (knee), all listed as out for the contest with the Rockets as they recuperate from their respective injuries.
Houston will be healthy save for Nene Hilario (hip) and Gerald Green (foot), both unlikely to play any time soon.
The game should be closer than the standings might suggest, though the Rockets have the edge in terms of both talent and health. Online sportsbooks give Houston a slight nod with an average spread of -2.5.
For the Thunder to eke out a win against their former floor general and his new team, Chris Paul and company will have to ride a wave of emotion, using the energy of the home crowd to will them to a win.
There will be no easy way to contain both Westbrook and Harden, but doubling the Beard while hoping the likely high-energy environment baits Russ into one of his equally-high-energy-but-inefficient nights may be their best option for a win.
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