Thunder Gameday: Yearly New Year’s Eve Tradition Continues as OKC Hosts Sixers

Tonight marks the Oklahoma City Thunder’s fifteenth consecutive New Year’s Eve recreation. Since the inception of the group in OKC, it has been a staple of the yearly rotation of occasions.

This time round, they’ll host the Philadelphia 76ers, who’re probably the greatest groups within the NBA.

This can be a troublesome contest for the younger Thunder, who’re lacking a number of key gamers. Can Oklahoma City finish the season with a win?

ODDS: 

The Thunder enter the day as 5-point underdogs to the Sixers, and the whole over/beneath is 230.5 factors.

KEYS TO THE GAME: 

Philadelphia is enjoying on the second evening of a back-to-back on this recreation following a matchup in opposition to the Pelicans on Friday. As such, will probably be fascinating to see who fits up for the Sixers on this contest. They’ve misplaced two in a row and can be on the lookout for a win tonight.

Assuming Joel Embiid performs, he’ll probably have a monster recreation in opposition to the undersized Thunder. In their final contest in opposition to the Charlotte Hornets, they have been dominated within the paint.

Outside of the battle close to the rim, there can be loads of firepower on the perimeter as effectively. The matchup between James Harden and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ought to be particular, as they’re each elite scorers on this league.

Oklahoma City is fairly beat up at this level within the season, with a protracted harm report.

RECORDS: 

Oklahoma City Thunder (15-20) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (20-14)

WHEN: 

Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022 at 7:00 PM CT

LOCATION: 

Paycom Center – Oklahoma City, OK

TV/RADIO: 

Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

FINAL WORD: 

Following this contest, the Thunder can be off till Tuesday after they host the Boston Celtics. Meanwhile, the Sixers will head again house to tackle the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday.

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