Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Sacramento Kings Preview
Where: Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, CA
When: Sunday, January 15, 2017, 9:00 PM ET
Line: Oklahoma City Thunder (-1.5) at Sacramento Kings (+1.5); total: 212.0 – view all NBA lines
Writer’s Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder (-1.5)
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Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder (24-17)
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s three-game win streak came to an end on Friday night as they lost on the road to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 96-86. Russell Westbrook recorded his 19th triple-double of the season with 21 points (7-23 FGs, 1-10 3-PFGs), 11 rebounds, and 12 assists, but he also had 10 turnovers. Westbrook is now averaging 30 points, 11.4 rebounds, 9.7 assists, and 5.4 turnovers this month.
On the bright side for the Thunder, Victor Oladipo had 19 points, the most points he’s scored since the end of November. Meanwhile, Enes Kanter continued his fine play in 2017 with 21 points and 8 rebounds. Kanter is averaging 16 points and 9 rebounds through the first seven games of the year.
Westbrook almost had another triple-double the last time he faced tonight’s opponents, the Sacramento Kings. He had 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists while Oladipo added 18, but they didn’t get much help from anyone else as the Kings won, 116-101.
The Thunder have had a rough time on the road in recent games. They’re just 1-5 (2-4 ATS) in their last six games away from OKC.
Betting on the Sacramento Kings (16-23)
The Sacramento Kings are quickly making their way out of the Western Conference playoff picture. The Kings lost their fourth game in the last five as they fell to King James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, 120-108.
DeMarcus Cousins had 26 points, 8 rebounds, and a season-high 11 assists, while Rudy Gay added 23 points and 10 boards to lead the Kings. But Sacramento committed 21 turnovers and allowed the Cavs to shoot 50 percent from the field.
Cousins’ superhuman play has finally dipped at the start of year. He’s already had two games of under 20 points through six games this month; he had had just four such games entering 2017. He’s averaging 22.7 points and 9 rebounds, a notable dip from his season averages of 28 and 10.
With Cousins to bail them out, the Kings defense’s struggles have been even more pronounced. Since December 28, they’re second from bottom in the league in defensive efficiency. The Kings are 26th in defensive effiency on the season.
With that kind of defense, the Kings will need the Cousins that faced the Thunder back in November to return. Cousins was unstoppable in that first meeting as he had 36 points (13-26 FGs) and 13 rebounds to lead the Kings to victory.
The Kings are just 1-5 (2-4 ATS) in their last six home games, but are 3-1 SU/ATS in their last three home games against the Thunder.
Writer’s Prediction
Russell Westbrook leads the Thunder(-1.5) past Cousins and the Kings, 108-104.
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