OKLAHOMA CITY AT DENVER, 7 p.m., Friday, ALT, 950 AM
Spotlight on Russell Westbrook: There isn’t a more dynamic player in the NBA than the Thunder’s Westbrook. And only a couple of players can claim to be as productive. Westbrook, who has an NBA-high five triple-doubles, also leads the NBA in scoring (31.8) and is second in assists (10.8) and efficiency (32.9). Defensively, he collects 1.3 steals per game. With Kevin Durantap departure to Golden State, Westbrook is now the lead player in OKC, entrusted with leading the Thunder back to the playoffs and eventually, they hope, back to the NBA Finals.
Nuggets: The Nuggets are looking to extend their home win streak to three straight games. It won’t be easy. Oklahoma City has beaten the Nuggets six straight times, and three of those were at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets, however, have won three of the last four at home, playing a better brand of basketball there, after losing their first three home games of the season. There are injury concerns. Forward Danilo Gallinari missed Wednesday’s contest at Utah due to a right thigh injury. His status for Friday is unknown. Meanwhile, rookie forward Juancho Hernangomez’s availability is also unclear. He suffered a sprained ankle in the closing seconds of the Nuggets’ loss at Utah.
Thunder: Oklahoma City has fallen on hard times of late, losing seven of its last nine games. On the road, the Thunder is 2-4 and has lost both games in a current three-game road trip. They are relatively healthy. Only Cameron Payne is out due to a foot fracture.
