OKC had the league's sixth-best home record the previous three seasons at 83-32 (.722), trailing San Antonio (93-22), the Lakers (90-25), Denver (87-28), Chicago (86-29) and Orlando (84-31), but edging Miami (82-33).
The Thunder and Miami tied for the NBA's best road record the past three seasons at 69-46 (.600), one victory ahead of San Antonio and Dallas and two ahead of Chicago.
Based on OKC's winning percentages at home and on the road the past three seasons, an average start for the Thunder this upcoming season would be 16-8.
However, that doesn't take into account even greater expectations this season for the defending Western Conference champions, nor the fact that these first 24 opponents had a combined record of 70 games below .500 last season at 757-827 (see chart).
Brooks admits to being both nearsighted and farsighted when he studies the yearly schedule.
“I have to look at it both ways, no question,” Brooks said, “but if you start looking ahead and start focusing on the big picture too much, you lose that the most important thing is that day.
“We're not looking at our schedule. We're not looking that we have to have this record at this time.”
Not buying 20-4? How about 19-5?
“Expectations, huh?” Brooks said, shaking his head.
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