PREVIEW: The Oklahoma City Thunder bring the league's top-ranked defense against rim attacks and elite three-point perimeter coverage to their matchup against New York, while the Knicks counter with efficient three-point shooting ranked third overall. The Thunder have dominated at home with a 30-7 record, while the Knicks sit at 21-17 on the road, setting up a significant home-court advantage. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been phenomenal over his last ten games, averaging 29.7 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns has shot an impressive 55.2% from the floor during the same stretch. The Thunder won 9 of their last 10 contests by averaging 118.2 points and shooting 48.0% from the field, while the Knicks posted a 7-3 mark with 49.4% shooting during the same period. Oklahoma City's defense allows just 106.3 points per 100 possessions, best in the entire league, with their half-court sets particularly stifling. The Knicks, however, allow 44.8% of three-point attempts on defense and rank 27th in post-up frequency, suggesting potential vulnerabilities in defensive spacing. These teams squared off earlier this month with the Thunder earning a 103-100 victory in New York, extending their winning streak against the Knicks to five consecutive matchups. Both teams rank low in post-up frequency, indicating this contest will likely feature perimeter-oriented offenses that test which defense can better control the three-point line.