OGT: Dec 22 Raptors (10-14) @ Thunder (22-4)

[Legends66NBA7]

Game Links: http://www.feed2all.eu/type/basketball.html

Game Preview: http://www.nba.com/games/20131222/TO...fo.html?ls=slt

Judging by their recent performances against Toronto along with the Raptors' comparatively meager record, the Oklahoma City Thunder would appear to have a promising chance to extend their season-high win streak and remain perfect at home.

The Raptors, though, have been relatively successful lately and are seeking a fourth consecutive road victory for the first time in 12 seasons Sunday night.

Despite a modest night from NBA scoring leader Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City (22-4) won 113-100 at Southwest Division-leading San Antonio on Saturday. Russell Westbrook led the way with 31 points and Reggie Jackson had 21 off the bench in the Thunder's ninth consecutive win.

Durant had 17 points -- 11.3 below his season average -- but the Thunder increased their scoring mark over the last nine games to 110.2.

Oklahoma City, winners in 17 of 18, will try to keep rolling by improving to 14-0 at home. The Thunder are the league's only unbeaten team on their own court -- a likely reason why Westbrook believes his team is the strongest in the NBA.

"We got the best record in the league; I believe we're the best team in the league regardless of who says this and who says that," Westbrook said. "You have to go out and play. You can predict anything, but you have to play the game."

A matchup with Toronto would seem to help as the Thunder have won the past three by an average of 16.0 points. They're also 4-1 at home against the Raptors (10-14) since relocating to Oklahoma City before the 2008-09 season.

Toronto, though, enters having won four of six -- a stretch that coincides with Rudy Gay being sent to Sacramento in a seven-player deal. The Raptors are also on the verge of securing their longest road win streak since a four-gamer March 22-April 5, 2002.

DeMar DeRozan helped deliver a 109-108 win in Dallas on Friday by making the go-ahead jumper while being fouled with 1:11 to go in overtime. DeRozan was one of six players in double figures with 15 points, and Kyle Lowry led the way with 20 as Toronto rallied from a 19-point deficit.

The Raptors lost their first three overtime games this season and fell 104-102 in extra time to Charlotte on Wednesday.

Toronto has helped itself by averaging 104.5 points in the last six games, an increase of 7.2 from its first 18.

"We're going out there, playing together, playing as a team. We don't care who scores. We're just doing our job on both ends," DeRozan said. "It's carrying over. Every time we step on the practice court, every time we watch film, we're trying to find ways to be better in every situation."

The Raptors haven't beaten the Thunder since Amir Johnson's basket in the final seconds gave them a 95-93 victory in Oklahoma City on March 20, 2011.

The Thunder haven't needed high-scoring efforts from Durant to produce their win streak over Toronto. Durant has averaged 20.0 points in those three games -- 6.7 below his career average.

DeRozan is shooting 25.0 percent and averaging 11.7 points in those matchups.

[O_City_Thunder]

I wouldn't be surprised if we somehow lost tonight.

[KG215]

I wouldn't be surprised if we somehow lost tonight.

This has trap/letdown game written all over it. Second night of a back-to-back, coming off a big road win over the Spurs, got two days off after tonight before the Christmas day game in NYC, etc. Just feels like one of those games where either OKC is going to get upset, or sleepwalk through the first 3.5 quarters while Toronto either leads or stays close then OKC wakes up and puts them away late.

I'd be a lot more worried if the game was at Toronto, and I'm kind of surprised they didn't schedule it that way since the next game is at the Knicks, but I guess with two days off between this game and the Knicks game it didn't really matter since two days is plenty of travel time.

[Legends66NBA7]

I wouldn't be surprised if we somehow lost tonight.

You guys are perfect at home.

[KG215]

Durant off to a shit start.

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

Look like KD shot off again i hate these shooting slumps he off in San Antone too

[KG215]

Perk saying, "man that's two shots, I don't wanna hear that shit..." to someone. I wouldn't mind the trash talk/sticking up for his teammates thing if he wsan't the worst player in the NBA.

[KG215]

Look like KD shot off again i hate these shooting slumps he off in San Antone too

I mean every great volume scorer goes through them. Well, except for LeBron apparently. But, mostly, you're not going to see Durant shoot 50%-60% for 10 or 20 straight games. There's going to be some 40%ish shooting games mixed in there from time to time.

[K Xerxes]

Perkins is surely the GOAT moving screen setter?

He is so bad at consistently setting legal screens. So so bad.

[KG215]

Not even a little bit surprising. If there was going to be one obviously easy game this season to tab as a letdown game, this would probably be the one.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

DW we'll choke and end up being blown out. it's the raptors way.

[fsvr54]

It's a 3 point game in the 1st quarter, obviously a loss.

[KG215]

It's a 3 point game in the 1st quarter, obviously a loss.

Not saying OKC is going to lose. I'm just not surprised we've come out and looked awful to start the game.

[KG215]

And that concludes OKC's worst 1st quarter of the season.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Thunder are bound to explode soon.