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Bobcats vs. Thunder
8 p.m., Chesapeake Energy Arena
TV: SportSouth. Radio: WFNZ-AM 610
Projected Starters
| Bobcats | Thunder | ||||
| Pos, Player | Ppg | Rpg | Pos, Player | Ppg | Rpg |
| G, K. Walker | 18.5 | 3.7 | G, R. Westbrook | 21.8 | 4.7 |
| G, J. Taylor | 6.9 | 2.4 | G, T. Sefolosha | 6.5 | 4.3 |
| F, M. Kidd-Gilchrist | 11.8 | 6.8 | F, K. Durant | 26.5 | 9.4 |
| F, B. Mullens | 12.5 | 8.8 | F, S. Ibaka | 15.1 | 7.6 |
| C, B. Haywood | 7.2 | 7.0 | C, K. Perkins | 4.1 | 4.7 |
Matchup to Watch
Kevin Durant vs. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: Rookie MKG has been getting in foul trouble trying to guard elite scorers. Durant is the elite among elite scorers.
Observations.
• How great is Durant? Check out his line against Philadelphia on Saturday: 37 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks. He took 17 free-throw attempts.
• The Thunder made a major trade in the preseason, moving sixth-man James Harden to Houston after he and the Thunder couldn’t agree on an extension.
In that deal, the Thunder got draft picks and former Western Carolina star Kevin Martin. He has struggled lately, shooting 3 of 16 from the field the past two games.
Tap-ins
• Kemba Walker also has a big challenge Monday, pairing off against point guard Russell Westbrook, who has appeared in 326 consecutive NBA games, longest active streak in the league.
• Thunder forward Serge Ibaka leads the NBA in blocks at 3.3 per game. The Bobcats are first in blocks as a team (7.5 per game), the Thunder fourth (7.15).
• The Bobcats hope to get back Bismack Biyombo, who missed the game in Washington with a left leg bruise.
Did you know?
. Four players born in Africa are on the two rosters: Biyombo and Gana Diop for Charlotte and Ibaka and Hasheem Thabeet for Oklahoma City. Rick Bonnell
