The San Antonio Spurs will play their fifth straight road game tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Itās time to continue ourĀ NBA odds series and make a Spurs-Thunder prediction and pick.
The Spurs stand at 5-5 overall, but they are 6-4 against the spread.Ā They are coming off a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.
The Thunder stand at 5-4 overall and 6-3 against the spread. In Oklahoma City's most recent game, they upset the Brooklyn Nets as underdogs.
Hereās howĀ sportsbooks have set the opening Spurs-Thunder odds.
NBA Odds: Spurs-Thunder Odds
San Antonio Spurs -2 (-115)
Oklahoma City Thunder +2 (-105)
Over 218.5 Points (-110)
Under 218.5 Points (-110)
Why The Spurs Could Cover The Spread
So far this season, the Spurs have been a gutty team that has given nearly every opponent a run for their money.
San Antonio has lost by double-digits only twice this season, to the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz. Even more impressive is the fact that they pulled out victories against both Los Angeles teams.
Basically, San Antonio plays up to their competition. The Spurs very rarely get bullied by teams that are in the range of their talent level, and Oklahoma City fits that category.
Even with DeMar DeRozan missing tonight's contest, the Spurs have enough firepower to keep them in the game against a low-scoring Oklahoma City offense.
San Antonio will turn to LaMarcus Aldridge, who is averaging 19.3 points in his last three contests, and Lonnie Walker IV, who dropped 25 points in the Spurs' last matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
It's unlikely that either team turns this game into a shootout. If the Spurs keep this one close going to the final quarter, Gregg Popovich and company have proven they usually find a way to get the job done.
Why The Thunder Could Cover The Spread
In nine games this season, the Thunder have yet to be favored in a single matchup. In fact, tonight is the closest they've come, as the two-point spread is the lowest all season.
The low spread is due to several factors. For one, the Spurs will be missing DeRozan, their leading scorer. This is great news for the Thunder, who can now focus on preventing LaMarcus Aldridge from torching a defense that has been good, but not great.
Additionally, Oklahoma is on a hot streak. Not only have they won three straight games as underdogs, they have exceeded sportsbooks' expectations in each one.
Against the New York Knicks, New Orleans Pelicans, and Nets, the Thunder covered the spread by an eye-popping 14.8 point average.
Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, this team continues to defy expectations. SGA is the clear leader of this team, averaging 21.0 points, 6.8 assists, and 5,3 rebounds. But his supporting cast has been key to the Thunder's early success.
With a roster that anyone but hardcore NBA fans would struggle to name, the Thunder have a total of SEVEN players averaging double-digit points.
As this Spurs team limps into town for the last game of a long road trip, the young Thunder have an opportunity to blitz another team on their home floor and get their fourth straight win.
Final Spurs-Thunder Prediction & Pick
Roster-wise, the Spurs have the upper hand even without DeRozan. However, I can't bet against the Thunder's hot streak, especially with a road-weary Spurs team. I predict OKC will hold serve on their home floor, open up an early lead, and pull out the close victory against a Spurs team that can't wait to get home and healthy.
FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: OKC 108, SAS 103
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