Quebec basketball fans will have a very enticing confrontation to get their teeth into on Boxing Day, as Luguentz Dort and the Thunder will visit Bennedict Mathurin and the Pacers.
The 25- and 22-year-old Montrealers are playing a sixth and third campaign in the NBA, respectively.
Dort and Mathurin will cross swords a third time, with each team having won a meeting.
Undefeated for eight confrontations, the Thunder will therefore face Indiana, who have earned five victories in a row.
Mathurin set a career high with 38 points on November 10, against the New York Knicks. He was then 7 for 9 from beyond the perimeter.
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Bennedict Mathurin
Photo : Associated Press / Phelan M. Ebenhack
Since December 7, Dort has had three games where he made at least four three-pointers.
The Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the NBA's third-leading scorer.
The Hamilton native is second in the league with two steals per game, on average.
Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers is fifth in the NBA in assists, while teammate Myles Turner is fourth in blocks.
Offering the best performance in the West, OKC leads the league in fewest points allowed per game, steals per game and free throw success rate.
The Thunder are also second in the league in total offensive fouls drawn.
After this match, the Pacers will conclude the year 2024 with matches in Boston, Friday and Sunday. The Celtics swept Indiana in the East finals in May, en route to winning the championship.
The Thunder – Pacers game will be presented Thursday evening at 7 p.m.
