Expectations. When this rebuild started three years ago, this is where we wanted to eventually end up. In a place where we look at the betting odds and see our team as the favorite on some night. In a place where teams can no longer rest their superstars when they play against us. In a place where the media outside of Oklahoma City is once again excited for the team that plays in the Paycom Center. We didn’t know how long it would take (Not too long). We didn’t know if it was going to exhaustive (Not really). But we’re finally back to where we were several years ago. Are you ready to have your heart broken? Are you ready for the disappointment? Are you ready to lose years off your life as you live and die with every close game? Are you ready to feel like you’re playing on the floor as the stakes get higher? I know I am. And I can’t wait!

Injury Report

OKC

• Jaylin Williams (hamstring)
• Kenrich Williams (back spasms)

Chicago

• Lonzo Ball (knee)

Three Big Things

1. Attack the rim – The Chicago Bulls lack a true rim-protector. In the preseason, they were ranked 28th in the league in blocks at 3.6 per game. Conversely, the Thunder were 4th in points in the paint this preseason at 51.6 points per game. Nikola Vucevic and the husk that was formally Andre Drummond struggle not just with keeping up with guards on the perimeter, but also with recovering back to the rim to protect it. Chicago has great perimeter defenders in Alex Caruso, Ayo Dosunmu, and Jevon Carter, but will struggle to keep up with the Thunder’s ball handlers and shot creators.
2. Monsters of the mid-range – The Chicago Bears were once known as the Monsters of the Midway. The current Bulls squad should be renamed the Monsters of the Mid-range. The Bulls led the league in percentage of points from the mid-range at 11.8%. While most of the league is shooting 3’s and driving into the paint, the Bulls are the old guy at the YMCA that continues to punish you if you neglect to trail him and put a hand up. With that said, the Thunder should feast defensively with this kind of offense. Their length and shot-blocking should make things difficult for the Bulls to operate.
3. Control the glass – While the Thunder were a bad rebounding team last season, that should change this season with the addition of Chet Holmgren to the line-up. One of the positives for the Bulls this preseason was their offensive rebounding. They lead the league in offensive rebounding this preseason at 15.4 offensive boards per game. One thing to watch on the Thunder’s part: If the Bulls choose to crash the offensive glass, it may open up transition opportunities for the Thunder.