Vitals: Wizards at Thunder

Everything you need to know about the Thunder's matchup against the Wizards.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:21 am

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Nov 20, 2009 12:38 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

Washington Wizards (3-7) at Oklahoma City Thunder (6-6)
Saturday, November 20, 7:00 p.m. CST
Ford Center, Oklahoma City
Game 13 of 82

Anticipated Starting Lineups

	Washington (Away)	Oklahoma City (Home)
PG	Gilbert Arenas 22.9 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 6.5 APG	Russell Westbrook 15.8 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 7.2 APG
SG	Mike Miller 11.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.6 APG	Thabo Sefolosha 5.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.9 APG
SF	Caron Butler 17.0 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 0.9 APG	Kevin Durant 27.1 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.5 APG
PF	Antwan Jamison 31.0 PPG, 10.0 APG, 2.0 APG	Jeff Green 14.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.1 APG
C	Brendan Haywood 10.9 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 0.1 APG	Nenad Kristic 9.3 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 0.3 APG

Injuries
Oklahoma City: PG Shaun Livingston (knee, out).
Washington: C Fabricio Oberto (hamstring, questionable)

Where to find it?
On TV: FS Oklahoma
On Radio: Thunder Radio Network

What you need to know?
The Thunder is coming off a 14-point drubbing on the road at the hands of the Orlando Magic. Oklahoma City trailed by as much as 30 at one point during the game, and the loss was the worst of the season. The Magic out-rebounded the Thunder 47-42, which drops Oklahoma City to 0-3 this season when they’ve been out rebounded. However, that loss at the hands of the Magic was the Thunder’s first loss to the Eastern Conference this season, and can get back on track at home against the Wizards.

Despite their losing record, the Washington Wizards are getting it done on the defensive end of the floor. They rank in the top ten in three defensive categories; defensive rebounds per game (43.3, ninth), blocks per game (5.5, tied for ninth) and opponents field goal percentage (.440, ninth). Despite the defensive domination, when the Wizards get wins they need to couple that with a stellar offensive performance. In their three victories this season, the Wizards are averaging 111 points per game.

Who to watch?
Rookie James Hardin was on fire in the Thunder’s loss to the Magic, scoring a career-high 27 points, fueled by going 6-7 from three-point range. Oklahoma City needs a big performance from second-year point guard Russell Westbrook if they want a home win tonight. In the Thunder’s six losses this season Westbrook has accounted for 25 turnovers.

Antwan Jamison has only played one game this season, a 31-point, 10-rebound performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The forward is a matchup nightmare for any team; he is more athletic than anyone at his size (6-foot-9 235-pounds) should be. But if the Wizards want to top the Thunder and turn their young season around, star point guard Gilbert Arenas needs to get his offense back on track. The player formerly known as “Hibachi” has scored less than 20 points in three of his last five games, and those other two games Agent Zero scored 20 and 21 points.