A long road trap will come to an end Friday night for the Atlanta Hawks in a match up against the Oklahoma City Thunder. While Atlanta is playing out the string and closing in on securing the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Thunder are grinding just to hold on to a playoff spot.
The Thunder lead the New Orleans Pelicans by one game entering Friday thanks in large part to an MVP performance by Russell Westbrook. Oklahoma City has been ravaged by injuries this season and will be without two members of their big three on Friday. Early in the week there was some talk that Durant might be able to make it back for Friday's game but he sat out Thursday's practice due to lingering soreness in his foot and was declared out for Friday's game.
Serge Ibaka had a knee procedure earlier this week and could miss the remainder of the season. That if further testing the Thunder's depth and placing even more weight on the shoulders of Westbrook. The newly acquired Enes Kanter has averaged more than 20 points and 12 rebounds over his last six games but suffered an ankle injury of his own Wednesday and missed practice on Thursday. His status for Friday's game won't be determined until sometime before tip off.
The Hawks are dealing with injuries of their own. They will be without Kyle Korver for the third straight game due to a broken nose. Mike Scott is also out with a broken toe.
Atlanta began the road trip with a loss in Denver but then rattled off three straight wins before falling to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. The Hawks took the first meeting with the Thunder 103-93 back in late January. Paul Millsap and Al Horford recorded double-doubles while Durant was held to 21 points on 8-22 shooting.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Friday, March 20, 8 p.m. ET
Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
TV: SportSouth
Radio: 92.9 "The Game" FM