San Antonio Spurs vs. OKC Thunder Preview
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena – Oklahoma City, OK
When: Thursday, March 9, 2017, 8:00 PM ET
Line: San Antonio Spurs (-2.5) at Oklahoma City Thunder (+2.5); total: 208.5 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: TNT
Writer’s Pick: San Antonio Spurs (-2.5)
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Betting on the San Antonio Spurs (50-13)
The San Antonio Spurs’ win streak is still alive. Despite missing Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge, who were both rested, the Spurs came back from 28 points down to beat the Sacramento Kings, 114-104, last night. Their current win streak is now up to nine games in a row. However, they failed to cover the 12-point spread, and are now 0-5 against the spread in their last five games.
Kawhi certainly earned his night off, especially for what he did in the Spurs’ 112-110 win over the Houston Rockets. Leonard had 39 points – including the game-winning 3-pointer – and a crucial block on James Harden in an incredible MVP-caliber performance. Leonard has now put up four consecutive 30-point games, and is averaging 33.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 3.3 steals during that span.
Look for Leonard and Aldridge to return to the lineup for their matchup with the Thunder tonight. Kawhi also had an outstanding game in his first meeting against the Thunder as he finished with 36 points, 8 boards, and 4 assists in a 108-94 Spurs win at home back in January. Aldridge also came up big with 25 points and 6 boards.
The Spurs have had a dreadful record in OKC over the years, going just 3-13 (SU and ATS) in their last 16 visits. However, this will be the first time they’ll visit the Thunder without Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka, whose length and athleticism gave the Spurs a lot of problems.
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder (35-29)
The Oklahoma City Thunder have had a bad start to March. The Thunder have lost four in a row this month, which is tied for their longest losing skid of the year. After dropping three in a row in a recent road trip to the Blazers (114-109), Suns (118-111) and Mavericks (104-89), the Thunder once again fell to the Blazers, 126-121, on their return home.
That loss to Portland spoiled Russell Westbrook’s career-high 58 points. The Thunder superstar is has been unable to lift his team to victory despite averaging 45 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists over his first four games this March.
On the bright side for the Thunder, they finally got starting shooting guard Victor Oladipo back after missing the previous six games with a back injury. He had 16 points (4-5 3-PT FG) and 5 rebounds as he played just 26 minutes.
Westbrook had 27 points and 14 assists in a losing effort in his first meeting against the Spurs this season, while Oladipo added 15 points on 5-of-12 shooting. However, the Thunder shot just 35 percent as a team and 25 percent form beyond the arc.
The Thunder will have Enes Kanter back after he missed that first game due to a broken forearm. Taj Gibson should also provide the size and strength necessary for the Thunder to compete with the Spurs inside.
Writer’s Prediction
The Spurs (-2.5) stretch their win streak to double-digits as they take down the Thunder, 110-103.
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