Oklahoma City has lost four of its past six games, so the team hopes to bounce back when it hosts Philadelphia at 2:30 p.m. Central. Jaylin Williams and Ousmane Dieng are sidelined for the Thunder, while Joel Embiid, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Trendon Watford are also out. 

Check out three key matchups for this contest. 

San Antonio dominated largely because its guards routinely penetrated the paint and subsequently created excellent shots for themselves and others. Oklahoma City typically does not allow this to happen because of Cason Wallace, Luguentz Dort and Alex Caruso’s superb point-of-attack defense. However, the Thunder’s defense is in a funk. 

The team must find its form because Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe are in town. The duo averages a combined 46.8 points and 10.9 assists per game, and they have the necessary athleticism and speed to give Oklahoma City fits. 

If Wallace, Dort and Caruso manage to defend Philadelphia’s guards without requiring too much help, then Oklahoma City will be in an excellent position to win this game. 

Andre Drummond is arguably the best rebounder of his generation, and the veteran still dominates the glass. He’s grabbing 17.9% of available offensive rebounds when on the court this season, which is the second-highest percentage in the NBA among qualified players. 

Dominick Barlow, Adem Bona and Jabari Walker are also serious threats to secure offensive rebounds, so the Thunder will have its hands full trying to snag contested rebounds. Oklahoma City should be fine when Isaiah Hartenstein is playing, but it must make a group effort to box out during the non-Hartenstein minutes, especially since Jaylin Williams is out. 

With Maxey and Edgecombe bearing the brunt of Oklahoma City’s elite perimeter defense, Philadelphia needs a vintage performance from Paul George. 

The 9x All-Star has drastically regressed from his prime years, but George is still capable of having the occasional big night. His explosions are built off of volume three-point shooting, which is important because the Thunder’s defense surrenders the fourth-highest three-point attempt rate. 

It will be tough sledding for George with Jalen Williams likely guarding him for most of his minutes. Williams earned All-Defense honors last season and has the mobility, length and instincts to shut down George’s self-created scoring. 

If George pours in points, then it probably results from knocking down a plethora of catch-and-shoot jumpers rather than attacking the paint off the bounce.