2009-10 Season Schedule Preview & Predictions
The Oklahoma City Thunder released their 2009-10 season schedule on Tuesday afternoon. There were portions of the schedule that disappointed some fans, as Oklahoma City only hosts one nationally televised game, a December 16 home game against the Dallas Mavericks. The NBA will wish they had included a few more dates available to the masses, if the Thunder are challenging for that eighth playoff seed and it possess a legit MVP candidate. I’ve given an overview of the schedule along with record predictions of the entire season. Enjoy.
October (Prediction: 2-0)
The second season in Oklahoma City opens Wednesday night at the Ford
Center against the lowly Sacramento Kings. They possess a hot young p
rospect in guard Tyreke Evans. Some draftniks say that Evans will be a much bette
r player than fellow rookie guard James Harden. More than likely, Harden’s high character compared with Evans was the reason for his higher draft selection. I would agree.
November (Prediction: 8-7)
To begin November, Oklahoma City plays host to both NBA Finals participants in the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic. Notable road games include return visits to Orlando and Los Angeles, along with trips to San Antonio, Miami, and Salt Lake City, Utah. All of those road stops could pose treachery for the young Thunder squad. It could take some time for some of these players to hit their stride again, especially James Harden.
December (Prediction: 9-6)
The Boston Celtics visit Oklahoma City on December 4 this year. That could prove to be a very difficult match-up considering perennial All-Star Kevin Garnett is expected to return in full force. The Golden State Warriors make a trip to the Ford Center featuring hot-shot rookie guard Stephen Curry. Other notables include the ESPN matchup against the Dallas Mavericks and road trips to Denver, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.
January (Prediction: 7-8)
The Thunder will begin 2010 with some relative streakiness. The schedule for the month includes a period of 4 straight home games, followed shortly after by 4 straight road games, and then another 4 straight home games that run into February. Coincidentally, I’ve predicted two wins streaks of 3 games along with a losing streak of 3 games and another of 4 games. Interestingly enough, none of those streaks are related to their location, as I have a 3 game win streak occurring on the road against Atlanta, Minnesota, and Memphis. Notable visitors include the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, and former fan favorite Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets.
February (Prediction: 7-5)
February is going to include some tough road destinations for the young Thunder squad. New Orleans, Golden State, Portland, and San Antonio could prove to be too much, but this team has surprised me before. I cannot, in good conscience, predict the Thunder to win any of those road bouts. The home schedule, while maybe not quite the ticket seller management would like, includes a number of very winnable games against sub .500 opponents, which could salvage the W-L record for the month.
March (Prediction: 9-7)
While I predicted a very average month in the W-L column, the home-road schedule is one of streaks. 3 straight road games are followed by 3 straight home games, followed by 3 straight at home, finishing with 4 straight on the road. The new-look San Antonio Spurs will visit Bricktown along with another visit from the Los Angeles Lakers, as well as a potentially exceptional match-up with the Portland Trailblazers. The Blazers are considered the other rising juggernaut that hasn’t peaked yet. They are probably a great illustration of what Oklahoma City could look like in 2-3 years.
April (Prediction: 3-5)
The last month of the year, and a short one at that, may not be kind to Oklahoma City. The difficulty of the last 8 games could spell trouble for a team on the very edge of that last playoff spot. Denver and Portland will be very tough teams by the end of the season, and the development of Russell Westbrook and James Harden could decide the fate of the Thunder’s late spring plans. A visit from the Memphis Grizzlies, who could develop into a very solid team by this time of year, cap the season off on a Wednesday evening.
Yes, if things go the way I predict, at 45-37 the Oklahoma City Thunder will have an outside shot at the playoffs. Last season though, it took 48 wins from the Utah Jazz to reach the playoffs in the Western Conference. The 46-win Phoenix Suns were left sitting at home during the playoffs, even after a very solid season. It’s anyone’s guess as to what the standings will look like by the end of the season, but it’s pretty clear that Oklahoma City will have a great shot at making some noise in the NBA during the 2009-10 season.
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