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Sacramento Kings: 3 Matchups To Watch For vs. The Thunder

By Rafe Wong

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 21: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives around De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half of a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 21, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 21: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives around De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings during the first half of a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 21, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 21: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings blocks Dennis Schroder #17 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 21, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 21: De’Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings blocks Dennis Schroder #17 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 21, 2018 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /

De’Aaron Fox vs. Dennis Schroder

How tonight’s starting point guards perform will be significant in this game. For the Kings, they obviously have De’Aaron Fox who is on his way to becoming a future star in the league. In 16 games so far, he is averaging 19 points, seven assists, and four rebounds a game while making over 50% of his shots from the floor and 42% of his three-pointers.

For the Thunder, their superstar guard Russell Westbrook is currently out due to personal reasons. So that leaves the Thunder to turn to Dennis Schroder to facilitate their team.

He may not be Westbrook, but Schroder is still a point guard that can give opponents fits. In 15 games this season, he is averaging over 16 points, five assists, and four rebounds a night. His numbers are even better as a starter as he is averaging over 17 points, six assists, and five rebounds in eight games.

Whichever player wins this individual matchup will help their team immensely. If Fox wants to be the victor, he needs to push the pace so he can set his teammates and himself for easy scores. If successful, he will tire out Schroder and the rest of the Thunder team on defense.

Defensively, Fox needs to make sure Schroder is as uncomfortable as possible. This means he has to cover him up like a sweater to make sure there is no offensive flow happening when the Thunder have possession of the ball.

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