GAMEDAY PREVIEW: Thunder vs. Nets

Chesapeake Energy Arena should be rocking again tonight as the Thunder (9-6) host the Brooklyn Nets (3-11) at 7 p.m. Here are a few things to know about the upcoming matchup, and don’t forget to follow Thunder reporter Steve McGehee (@SteveMcGehee) on Twitter for updates throughout the game.  

Durant’s back at the Peake

Kevin Durant will play his home game since injuring his hamstring against the Wizards, which forced the superstar to miss six games. Oklahoma City went 3-3 during that stretch, and his return to the lineup has already made an immediate impact.

Durant played against the Jazz in Utah on Monday and piled on 27 points and six rebounds. We’ve yet to see Durant truly hit his rhythm this season, so Thunder fans should be excited for what’s to come.

Will OKC’s groove continue?

The Thunder are coming off one of its best games of the season on Monday when they went to Utah and drilled the Jazz 111-89. It was only the fourth time all season the Thunder were able to hold their opponent to under 100 points.

Along with the defense, Oklahoma City’s offense looked fluid throughout the game, and despite poor offensive nights by both Serge Ibaka and Enes Kanter, the Thunder were able dominate throughout.

Anthony Morrow and Dion Waiters both had big games with 15 and 12 points respectively, so if the bench unit can continue to compliment the starters, the Thunder should be in good shape moving forward.

Brook Lopez up and close

Many Thunder fans were clamoring to trade for Brook Lopez last season at the deadline when rumors emerged that OKC was interested in dealing for the big man. Ultimately the deal fell through and OKC ended up with Kanter instead, but Lopez will have a chance to show the Thunder what they almost had tonight.