After a lengthy lockout, the NBA finally tips off on December 25 and the Oklahoma City Thunder's first test comes against the Orlando Magic. The game sets up the Magic's biggest star, Dwight Howard, against the Thunder's the two-time scoring champion Kevin Durant.
Of course, Kendrick Perkins defends Howard while Hedo Turkoglu, if healthy, mans Durant, but these are the players determining which team will open the season on a positive note.
Howard requested a trade after the lockout ended but a trade with New Jersey fell through so he is still with Orlando, for now. This might be the last year as Howard's contract expires and he becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Durant is happy with his role for Oklahoma City, a team that have made it to the NBA postseason two years running. In 2010-11, the Thunder made it to the Western Conference Finals and remain one of the best, young teams in the NBA, hoping to take the next step this season.
It all starts on Christmas night in Oklahoma City.
Durant finished last season with 27.7 points-per-game and is joined by point guard Russell Westbrook (21.9 points) and sixth man James Harden (12.2). The Thunder also presents Serge Ibaka, the NBA block leader in 2010-11, and Kendrick Perkins, healthy for the first time since coming to Oklahoma City.
Howard finished last season with a career high 22.9 points and also ranked second for rebounding with 14.1 per game. Turkoglu finished the year with a low 11.7 points and 5.4 rebounds-per-game.
Oklahoma City and Orlando split their series in 2010-11. Howard averaged 39.5 points and 16.5 rebounds in teh two games last season. Durant scored 36 points in teh Thunder's won and Westbrook finished with a triple-double.
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