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Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 keys to victory against the Golden State Warriors

By Kenneth Teape

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 11: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball against Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors on February 11, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - FEBRUARY 11: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball against Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors on February 11, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Oklahoma City Thunder: 3 keys to victory against the Golden State Warriors
Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images /

The Oklahoma City Thunder will have their hands full attempting to defeat the Golden State Warriors. Here are three keys to victory for the Thunder against the Warriors.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have had plenty of ups and downs already this season. They are 7-9 as they have yet to put everything together with Paul George and Carmelo Anthony joining Russell Westbrook. The Thunder will face arguably their stiffest test of the season thus far Wednesday night against the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors.

This is the first of four matchups this season between the Thunder and Warriors. Last season the Warriors swept the four-game regular season series and all were in blowout fashion. The closest game between the teams was decided by 16 points.

This has been a series dominated by the Warriors in recent memory. Even before Kevin Durant left the Thunder for the Warriors prior to the 2016-17 season, Oklahoma City struggled against Golden State. The Warriors have defeated the Thunder seven consecutive times in the regular season and 10 of the last 11 games overall.

It isn’t an easy thing to do, but the Thunder have to erase those losses from their mind and focus solely on the game in front of them. Oklahoma City has been dominated, but this new-look roster is one that could hang with the Warriors given all of the scoring power it possesses. This year’s Thunder team is improved both offensively and defensively despite not yet getting on the same page consistently.

Also working in the Thunder’s favor is that this is a home game. They have looked much better at Chesapeake Energy Arena thus far this season than on the road. Oklahoma City is 5-2 at home but has struggled to a 2-7 mark on the road.

It will not be an easy task for the Thunder to knock off the Warriors, but it is a possible one. Here are three keys for the Thunder to defeat the defending champs in their first matchup of the season.

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