:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/27434373/20140122_lbm_ai1_253.0.jpg)
This has nothing to do with tonight's Sixers-Thunder game, which is sure to be a blast, but allow me to get it off my chest: I hate the New York Knicks. This is a well-documented fact. A few nights after just a terrible showing on their home court against the Sixers, the Knicks win big over the Bobcats. It wasn't just the win that bothered me, it's how good they looked. Carmelo Anthony, who I am also not the biggest fan of, went off for a Knicks/MSG record 62 points. Seriously, Melo? Where was that kind of performance on Wednesday night when the Sixers needed a loss? Jerk.
Anyway, let's move on to tonight's game. The big thing to watch is the status of Thunder superstar Kevin Durant. Durant's been on the hottest of hot streaks lately but recently suffered a shoulder injury that caused him to miss last night's Thunder-Celtics game. Believe it or not, last night was the first time the Thunder ever played a game without at least one of Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook. That seems pretty crazy. It didn't really seem to matter though since the Thunder steamrolled the Celtics in Boston, 101-83. Hopefully Durant is healthy. Not only does it aid the Sixers' tank efforts, but he's just so fun to watch. As of this posting, Durant is officially "questionable" for tonight's game.
[Note by Brandon Lee Gowton, 01/25/14 7:09 PM EST] - Kevin Durant has been cleared to play and will start against the Sixers.
The Sixers lost last night at home to the Raptors. As Michael Levin explained, it was a pretty forgettable game. That loss dropped the Sixers to 2-8 in their last 10 games and a 14-29 record overall. The Sixers enter tonight's game tied (with the Jazz) for the third worst record in the NBA. Only the Magic and Bucks are worse. On the other hand, the Thunder are kind of a good team, I think. They have the second best record in the league and boast a six game winning streak. OKC owns a 16-3 record against below .500 teams. Tonight's game is the second of a back-to-back for both teams. The Sixers are 3-9 in those games. The Thunder are 4-3.
The tank is strong with me. In Sixers games that I've recapped, the team is 0-2. I'm confident in a Sixers loss tonight.
Injury Update
Speaking of superstars who are dealing with injuries, Tony Wroten did not play against the Raptors due to an ankle injury. TBD if he plays against OKC. Brandon Davies is still out, obviously.
The Enemy
Prediction
Sixers lose, 106-90.
Game Info:
Tip is at 7:30 PM EST. GameThread will be up at 7:00 - don't forget to join us. You can catch the game on CSN. You can listen live on the radio: 97.5 The Fanatic.
