Oklahoma City kicks off a four-game home stand on Wednesday night when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers inside Chesapeake Energy Arena.
The two teams couldn’t be headed in more opposite directions.
The Thunder comes into Wednesday winners of seven of their last eight. January was a grind for OKC. They had a league-maximum 17 games in 30 days, going 12-5 across that span.
Since Thanksgiving, Oklahoma City is 24-9 and has statistically all but secured their spot in the postseason.
They’re being represented by Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during the upcoming All-Star Weekend and, once thought to be big sellers, a day ahead of the trade deadline, the only move Sam Presti has made has been sending Justin Patton and cash to the Dallas Mavericks in return for Isaiah Roby.
Cleveland, on the other hand, is in full-sell mode. The Cavs come into Wednesday having lost 11-of-12 and likely looking to move Kevin Love before the deadline.
Love’s dissatisfaction with the organization is well known and was on display the last time these two teams met in Cleveland back on Jan. 4.
Oklahoma City routed the Cavs in that contest, 121-106.
The Thunder will have Terrance Ferguson back on Wednesday after the third-year player missed eight straight games.
Out due to personal reasons for the majority of his absence, Ferguson was back at practice on Monday and Thunder head coach Billy Donovan told ESPN that T-Ferg looked back to normal.
“He never seems like he ever looks tired to me,” Donovan said. “He runs around, and he’s got a really good motor and energy. So, he looked like his normal self.”
Donovan has not given any indication as to whether or not he would put Ferguson back in the starting lineup. Rookie Lu Dort has been playing significant minutes in place of Ferguson and excelled at both ends of the court in his extended playing time.
Tip-off on Wednesday is at 7 p.m. CT.
