Since moving to Oklahoma City, the Thunder have proven to be a tough out at home. Going back to the 2009-10 season, the team has posted the second-best record in the NBA at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
The Philadelphia 76ers know all too well about that history.
The Sixers defeated the Thunder for the first time in Oklahoma City on Thursday night, snapping a 19-game overall losing streak. The only time the Sixers beat the Thunder was Nov. 15, 2008, in Philadelphia.
The winning streak against the Sixers was the longest active head-to-head streak in the NBA. So, the team was happy to have snapped that streak in such a tough place to play as Jimmy Butler said afterward.
It’s one for the ages, man. We came in here on the road, it’s a hard place to play. Some really good players that we were going up against but we locked in. We focused. We talked about what we were going to do in the game plan and we executed it. I was just glad we were able to go out there and get it.
The game lost a bit of luster with the Sixers playing without Joel Embiid and Boban Marjanovic with the Thunder also down Paul George due to shoulder soreness. In any case, the Sixers were surely happy with the result of the game.
The Thunder struggled for much of the game without George as the offense became stagnant for stretches. Russell Westbrook had an inefficient shooting night after converting on 8-of-24 from the field, including 1-of-9 from 3-point range for 23 points.
The status for George on Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs is unclear at this time. Head coach Billy Donovan was unsure prior to Thursday’s game if George would play against the Spurs so that situation will be worth monitoring.
The Sixers and Thunder split the season series with the Thunder previously winning on Jan. 19.
