Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 Important Games Without Durant

Oklahoma City Thunder: 5 Make Or Break Games Without Kevin Durant

May 21, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (left) and guard Russell Westbrook (right) watch from the bench against the San Antonio Spurs in game two of the Western Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 22, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Reggie Jackson (15) attempts a shot against Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

Nov. 4 at Toronto Raptors:

The Thunder only play one of their first five games at home, and this road game against the Raptors marks the second game of their second back-to-back, which follows a road tilt with the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 3. Two back-to-backs with one road game in the middle isn’t a huge deal since it’s only the start of the season, but the Thunder should not make the mistake of taking Toronto lightly.

Remember, it was only last year that it took a MONSTER of a game from Kevin Durant to help OKC top the Raptors in double overtime in the Air Canada Centre. The definition of a MONSTER of a game: 51 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and one game-winner. I’m a huge Westbrook apologist, but there are only two guys in the league who can put up numbers to carry their team like that.

Westbrook and Reggie Jackson will need to really step up their efforts on the defensive end with the backcourt attack of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan leading the way. Ibaka or Kendrick Perkins should be able to limit Jonas Valanciunas, especially if Dwane Casey continues to allow his guards to take all of the team’s shots, but this is a winnable game that will help add to OKC’s win total amidst a pretty favorable November stretch.

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