The Warriors are preparing to host the Oklahoma City Thunder at Oracle Arena for the second time in less than a month. Tonight’s match-up is easily the most anticipated of the night, especially after that first half performance put up by both teams last time they met.
A healthy Kevin Durant comes into Oracle once again, this time he hopes to stay healthy for the entire game. As far as the Warriors are concerned, no new surprises. According to Rusty Simmons of the San Francisco Chronicle, Andrew Bogut and Festus Ezeli once again will be on the sidelines wearing a suit:
In addition to Andrew Bogut (right knee) and Festus Ezeli (left ankle) being out tonight vs. OKC, Brandon Rush (ill) questionable.
— Rusty Simmons (@Rusty_SFChron) January 5, 2015
It sounds like a broken record player, but the Warriors will once again need Draymond Green and Marreese Speights to step up in their absence. Serge Ibaka is a force down low, so the Warriors need a collective effort to battle him in the paint. The Thunder are coming into Oracle with vengeance on their mind, so the Warriors must be prepared to withstand their attack.
The Warriors have played well without their two big men, but they need them back as soon as possible. Ezeli’s injury continues to be a mystery because he only suffered a mild ankle sprain. Bogut on the other hand was expected to miss an extended period of time, so he’ll likely be out for another couple of weeks.
apparently, the injections bogut took aren’t working. and ezeli, what can you say? disappointing, i guess…big men are out almost as much as they’re in. W’s need to acquire a big guy somehow, because i doubt if kuzmic can handle the job (alone).