The Oklahoma City Thunder saw their seven-game win streak end on Sunday, when they lost 106-116 to the Brooklyn Nets, the local rivals of their opponents tonight, the New York Knicks.
New York themselves will also be hoping to bounce back from a weekend loss, when they were defeated by the Charlotte Hornets, just 24 hours after being beaten by the Los Angeles Clippers. They averaged just 86 points across the two games.
Last Meeting
The Knicks will have the psychological edge going into tonight, with Carmelo Anthony's side having won the last two meetings between the two franchises. The only match between the sides this season ended 93-90. Russell Westbrook was the highest scorer that night, with 34 in all.
Recent Play By the Knicks
However, it's been an indifferent season for the hosts, who currently sit tenth in the Eastern Conference, with their defeat to Charlotte being their 24th of the season. The Knicks have shown a lack of consistency on-court, as displayed by their inability to score in many of their recent losses.
The Knicks' this season have had to rely on Carmelo Anthony, who tops the side's scoring charts with 21.3 points per game, as well as being their team leader in assists, with four a game on average. Another key player for the Knicks will be 20 year old Latvian Kristaps Porzingis, who in his rookie season has been the Knicks' top rebounder and blocker, with 7.8 and two per game respectively.
Offense, Offense, and More Offense
Oklahoma City have shown themselves as a high scoring team this season, still topping 100 points in all of their last three losses. Billy Donovan's squad have failed to reach the century mark in only two of their last 16 games, and haven't scored less than 90 points since November 15th, in a 100-85 loss at home to the Boston Celtics. They currently sit third in the Western Conference.
The Thunder's success this season has no doubt been thanks to star players Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Durant sits fourth in the NBA's points-per-game charts for this season, only sitting behind Stephen Curry, James Harden and DeMarcus Cousins. Westbrook is second in the league in assists with 9.7 a game, and is only sitting behind the Sacramento Kings' Rajon Rondo.
Injury Report
The Knicks will be without reserve forward Cleanthony Early, who is set to the miss the game with a knee injury. The 24-year-old has averaged just seven minutes of playing time per game, so he shouldn't be a big miss for the home team.
Oklahoma City could be without Steven Adams for the game, who is doubtful due to an elbow injury. The seven-foot center has averaged just over six rebounds a game this season, so his absence could be missed on tonight. The only confirmed injury pre-game is that of Andre Robertson, who is expected to return in the middle of February, following a knee strain that will see him out for around three weeks.
The game will tip off at 7:30pm ET.