San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
March 29, 2018
Date & Time: Thursday, March 29 @8:00 PM
Venue: AT&T Center (San Antonio)
Head to head record
Oklahoma vs San Antonio 104-94 (2017/2018 NBA)
Oklahoma vs San Antonio 90-87 (2017/2018 NBA)
San Antonio vs Oklahoma 104-101 (2017/2018 NBA)
Oklahoma vs San Antonio 95-100 (2016/2017 NBA)
Oklahoma vs San Antonio 102-92 (2016/2017 NBA)
San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder prediction
All eyes will be on AT&T Center when San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder face each other in the NBA derby. Spurs aim to make amends for back-to-back defeats to the likes of Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards, but it remains to be seen if they are going to extend their winning run at home to eight games.
A team with two faces
Over the years San Antonio Spurs have turned their AT&T Center into a real fortress. Gregg Popovich’s men continue with their habit of producing fine performances at home, but their performances on the road leave a lot to be desired. San Antonio are on a seven-game winning run at home, with the team beating title holders Golden State Warriors in Texas earlier in March. Spurs, though, head into Thursday’s game against Thunder following back-to-back away defeats to the likes of Bucks and Wizards and they are definitely eager to get back on course. Gregg Popovich’s charges defeated Oklahoma in previous two meetings between the two teams at AT&T Center, which is certainly giving fans a reason for optimism ahead of the NBA derby. A man to watch in the home team will be LaMarcus Aldridge as Kawhi Leonard has yet to recover from his long-term injury.
LaMarcus Aldridge should recover from a minor knee injury to face Oklahoma, whilst Kawhi Leonard remains on the sidelines with a quadriceps problem.
Oklahoma breathing down Portland’s neck
Oklahoma City Thunder will be looking to bounce back from a heart-breaking 108-105 loss to Portland Trail Blazers when they face San Antonio Spurs at AT&T Center. Oklahoma have almost secured top-four finish in the Western Conference, but they could overtake Portland in third place in the standings as well. Russell Westbrook has been averaging 26.1`points in last ten games, but he often strugglers when facing San Antonio Spurs (19.3 pts per game). Paul George failed to impress in the 108-105 defeat to Trail Blazers, with the former Indiana Pacers star missing each and every of his seven three-point attempts. Oklahoma certainly face an uphill task in Thursday’s clash against San Antonio Spurs, but they should not be written off just yet. When the two teams met at Chesapeake Energy Arena earlier in March Thunder defeated Spurs 104-94, but beating Gregg Popovich’s team on the road is easier said than done.
Andre Roberson is sidelined with injury, but he is the only absentee in the away team. Coach Billy Donovan is likely to field the same starting line-up that faced Portland Trail Blazers.
Interesting Facts
- Oklahoma are after their third consecutive win over San Antonio
- Spurs are on a seven-game winning run at home
- Thunder conceded 100+ points in each of their last 15 games on the road
- Paul George has been averaging 21.6 points this term
- Oklahoma were beaten by Boston 100-99 in their last away game
San Antonio Spurs vs Oklahoma City Thunder betting pick
San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder seem to be evenly matched ahead of Thursday’s showdown. Spurs, though, have been producing splendid showings in front of home fans of late and seeing that Thunder have already suffered 19 defeats on the road this season, I am tempted to put my money on the hosts.
Pick: San Antonio Spurs +1.5
Odds: -105 at Opening
