The Oklahoma City Thunder play host to the Golden State Warriors at the Paycom Center on Saturday night. Here’s a Thunder vs. Warriors Prediction. This article will include a Thunder vs. Warriors pick.
Golden State Warriors Betting Preview
The Golden State Warriors have been in a rut as they’ve dropped five of their last eight games overall, but they will be eager to build some momentum after outlasting the Rockets in a thrilling 115-113 overtime road win on Thursday. Brandin Podziemski led the team with 26 points and nine rebounds on 10 of 18 shooting, De’Anthony Melton added 23 points on 10 of 22 shooting, and Al Horford chipped in with 17 points, six rebounds, and five assists. As a team, the Warriors shot 48 percent from the field and 14 of 38 from the 3-point line as they fought hard with the Rockets in a close contest and missed out on a chance to steal the win at the end of regulation. However, the Warriors didn’t let that faze them as the game went down to who could make their shots in overtime and that’s where Podziemski drained back-to-back shots to drag the Warriors over the line.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been on a tear as they’ve reeled off nine wins from their last 11 games and they will be gunning for a fifth straight victory after sneaking past the Knicks in a 103-100 road win on Wednesday. Chet Holmgren led the team with 28 points and eight rebounds on 11 of 19 shooting, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 26 points with eight assists on nine of 16 shooting, and Luguentz Dort chipped in with 16 points but no other player scored more than eight points. As a team, the Thunder shot 45 percent from the field and 16 of 42 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in trouble after they allowed the Knicks to explode for 40 points in the third quarter but they made up for that in the fourth quarter where they restricted the Knicks to just 20 points to escape with the narrow win despite getting outscored in the paint by 46-20.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Warriors have lost each of their last 10 night games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Thunder have won 19 of their last 20 night games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Warriors have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight night games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in 13 of their last 15 night games against Pacific Division opponents that held a winning record.
Why the Golden State Warriors will win
- The Warriors have won seven of their last nine games as underdogs when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Thunder have lost two of their last three games as home favorites following a win.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Thunder’s last seven games.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Thunder’s last six home games against the Warriors has gone OVER the total points line.
- Eight of the Warriors’ last nine games as road underdogs have gone UNDER the total points line.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Cason Wallace ranks 1st amongst qualified players for steals per game (2.0) this season.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points per 36 minutes (34.2) this season.
Golden State Warriors Player Facts
- Draymond Green is one of only eight qualified players in the league to be leading their team in rebounds (5.6) and assists (5.2) per game this season.
- Al Horford ranks 9th amongst qualified centers for three-pointers made per game (1.7) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+11.1).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent field goal percentage this season (43.6%).
- The Warriors rank 1st in the league for three-point field goals made per game this season (16.3).
- The Warriors rank 1st in the league for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (45.3).
Thunder vs Warriors Prediction
The Warriors are still keeping an eye on Seth Curry, Gary Payton II, Kristaps Porzingis, and Will Richard, who are all questionable, while the Thunder have ruled out Branden Carlson, Ajay Mitchell, Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, and Isaiah Hartenstein. These teams have already clashed three times this season, with the Thunder winning each by double digits and I think we’re in for another blowout here. The Warriors were great in their thrilling overtime win in their last outing, but they’re going to find it tough to keep this competitive unless some players come back from injury. The line may change by the time tipoff comes round, but at this stage, I prefer a play on the Thunder to complete the season sweep with another win and cover here.