Streaking Thunder Face Back To Back
The Thunder, who were scuffling around just a few games ago, are suddenly the hottest team in the NBA having won five straight.
They have what would appear to be an outstanding chance to keep this streak going for at least a few more games with a back-to-back in Boston and Philadelphia tonight and tomorrow and a home game Monday night against Atlanta.
The Celtics are 15-29 and have lost eight of their last 10 games and the 76ers are 14-28 and have lost seven of their last 10. The Hawks are currently the #3 seed in the Eastern Conference and while that may sound stout they only have a 22-19 record and are just 5-5 in their last 10 games.
So...it would appear the Thunder should be able to add three more games to the win column.
Kevin Durant has strung together nine straight games of scoring at least 30 points, the last time he didn't score at least 30 was the last time the Thunder played Boston, when he registered 21. In fact, KD hasn't cracked the 30 point mark against the Celtics for five straight games.
You can bet Durant doesn't care about whether he scores 30 points or not, he cares strictly about the bottom line and that's getting the win. Whether that means he needs to score 30 or more points or whether it means he needs to have more of a high assist or rebound night.
The Celtics have some injury problems both guards Avery Bradley and Jerryd Bayless are expected to miss tonight's game, but Rajon Rondo will likely be back in the Celtics lineup.
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Durant was named a Western Conference All-Star starter for the fourth straight year last night. It's his fifth consecutive All-Star selection.
The backups will be picked by coaches later on, there's a slight chance Serge Ibaka could get a nod, but Russell Westbrook will not because of his injury situation.
And if the standings continue as they are Thunder head coach Scott Brooks will be the Western Conference coach. The coaching staff of the team with the best record in each conference at the break get the opportunity to coach the All-Stars, unless those same coaches had the best record the previous season.
Tipoff both tonight in Boston and tomorrow night in Philly is 6:30 Oklahoma time and you can catch both games on Fox Sports Oklahoma.