Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors Predictions, Picks and NBA Preview – March 3, 2016

The first two meetings between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors were nothing short of spectacular, and their third and final bout this regular season promises to be another intense affair between two of the NBA’s finest.

Although the Warriors won those two earlier games, the Thunder still appeared to be the only team in the league capable of dishing out a rare Golden State regular-season loss, and will aim to do so one last time this Thursday night at Oracle Arena.

Let’s now take a closer look at this blockbuster Western Conference matchup below. And to sate your basketball betting fix for the day, have a shot at some college hoops action and coverage for change with our preview for Connecticut vs. SMU right after this.

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Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors Preview

Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland

When: Thursday, March 3, 10:30 PM ET

Line: Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden State Warriors – view all NBA lines

Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder (42-18)

How deflating was that overtime loss to Warriors last Saturday for the Oklahoma City Thunder? Judging from their 103-98 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, it was very deflating indeed.

OKC squandered a 22-point lead and saw the Clippers storm back for the win in spite of a 30-point, 11-rebound night from Kevin Durant, and 24 points and 12 assists from Russell Westbrook. And with that defeat, the Thunder have now lost two of their last three games – all against California-based teams – and five of their last seven overall (2-4-1 ATS).

The team has still gotten terrific production from their top two stars during their aforementioned funk, and pretty much from everybody else on the roster in general, but has failed to hold on to huge leads and close out their contests with poise. And let’s not forget to throw in that heartbreaking OT loss to Golden State into this mix.

Part of the reason for their uninspired play may be that the organization has had some off-court issues of late, specifically the passing of part-owner Aubrey McClendon due to a fatal car crash.

Instead of playing with a renewed purpose given their troubles, though, the Thunder appear to have been affected for the worse. Nevertheless, these off-court trials will come to pass and the team will soon find its groove once more. Let’s just hope that OKC gets its act together this Thursday night to avoid being pegged as another mere pretender to the Warriors’ throne.

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Betting on the Golden State Warriors (54-5)

The 109-105 overtime win on Tuesday over the Atlanta Hawks was expected, but not entirely in the typical relentless way that we’re accustomed to seeing from the Bay Area juggernauts.

Starting center Andrew Bogut had a career-high 19 points, and Draymond Green was one assist shy of another triple-double for the Warriors to maintain its flawless record at home in a game that saw Stephen Curry (ankle) and Andre Iguodala (hamstring) on sidelines in street clothes.

Sure, the Warriors looked totally different without Curry in the lineup, but they were still very composed in securing a win over the formidable Hawks – true contenders out in the East. However, both he and Iguodala are listed as questionable heading into Thursday night, meaning the team looks to tap deep into their role players’ productions once more in order to sweep the season series against the Thunder.

Most notably, Klay Thompson must find his sweet shooting stroke again if ever Steph does sit his second game out. Thompson had 26 points on Tuesday, but also shot just 8-of-27 field goal shooting. Should Thompson somehow manage to replicate his outing against OKC last week (32 points, 54 percent shooting from the floor), the Dubs will probably send the Thunder to another miserable loss in Cali.

Writer’s Prediction

The Warriors get Curry back for this game and complete the season sweep of the Thunder, 123-117.