OAKLAND, CA, Sporting Alert – When Golden State play host to Oklahoma City on Thursday it will not be more than just Warriors v Thunder in a Western Conference showdown.
Before we say anything further, note that live online streaming of this game is on TNT Overtime, Watch TNT app and the TNT television channel at 10:30pm ET.
Westbrook v Durant
Thursday’s game is a rematch of the highly contested Western Conference Finals, but that still isn’t the talking point going into the game at Oracle Arena.
The build up ahead of this clash has been solely about the head-to-head showdown between former teammates Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant who will face-off for the first time since the split from OKC.
Durant left the Thunder during the offseason to join up with Golden State and according to Warriors forward Draymond Green, both teams want to win this game “really bad” to prove a point.
“They’re going to want to beat him really bad. He’s going to want to beat them really bad,” Green said ahead of the highly anticipated clash.
“In turn, we’re going to want to beat them really bad because we want him to beat them really bad.
“It’ll be a lot of emotions, but it’ll be a fun game to play in. It’s always a high-intensity game against them, and I expect nothing less.”
Westbrook Is Rolling Early
Westbrook is off to an outstanding start after four games this season and is averaging a triple-double with 37.8 points, 10.5 rebounds and 10.0 assists per game.
He scored 35 points for the Oklahoma City Thunder (4-0) to remain unbeaten with an 85-83 victory at the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.
Westbrook said he has nothing to prove ahead of the meeting with Durant and the Warriors (3-1).
“I play every game like it’s my last,” Westbrook said. “Regardless of who we play, I’m going to play the same way.”
Durant, who is shooting 57.4 percent from the field, is averaging 28.5 PPG, 9.0 RPG and 4.0 APG for Golden State, which has recovered nicely since losing on opening night to San Antonio.
LeBron, Cavs Hunt 5-0 Start
In the first tip-off on TNT and TNT Overtime at 8:00pm ET, the Cavaliers (4-0) will play hosts to the Celtics.
LeBron James and Cleveland go in search of their fourth win at home this season and the fifth overall this term, while Boston (3-1) will be hoping to secure its third successive win of the campaign.
The Celtics ended Chicago’s unbeaten run this season on Wednesday night with a 107-100 victory at home and they will want to do the same against the defending NBA champions and fellow Eastern Conference rivals.
Boston will look to Isaiah Thomas, who is averaging 24.2 PPG and 7.5 APG to lead the way, with Avery Bradley, who is contributing 19.3 PPG, 4.5 APG and 7.8 RPG being his No. 1 support offensively.
Forward Al Horford (concussion) remains out for the Celtics, Brian Robb of CelticsHub reports.
He also missed the win over the Bulls on Wednesday night.
For the Cavs, James is averaging 20.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists per game and shooting 50 percent from the field.
Point guard Kyrie Irving, who scored 32 points and hit some big shots down the stretch in the win over the Rockets on Tuesday, comes into this game averaging 26.8 points per game.
NBA SCHEDULE
Thursday, November 3
Sacramento Orlando 7:00 PM
Indiana Milwaukee 8:00 PM
Denver Minnesota 8:00 PM
Boston Cleveland 8:00 PM TNT, Watch TNT, TNT Overtime
Oklahoma City Golden State 10:30 PM TNT, Watch TNT, TNT Overtime
