Prior to their second matchup with the Kings, the OKC Thunder were rolling against lower-tier teams. However, considering the Kings sit one game over .500, 17 games into the 2018-19 campaign, perhaps they are not so lowly anymore.
Due to Sacramento’s scoring outburst led by Iman Shumpert and Buddy Hield, OKC’s second-place defensive rating dropped to fourth. Trailing the Celtics, Grizzlies, and the Pacers. Taking into account the Warriors possess the top offensive rating (OFF-RTG) at 114.7. And their OFF-RTG is seven points greater than the Kings, Oklahoma City’s defense could be in for a long night inside Oracle.