The Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs duke it out in a pivotal Game 2 of the West Semifinals at the Paycom Center on Wednesday night. Here’s a Thunder vs. Spurs Prediction. This article will include a Thunder vs. Spurs Pick.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder will be hoping to bounce back and square up the series after falling painfully short to the Spurs in a 122-115 double overtime loss in Game 1 on Monday. Alex Caruso had a great game as he drained eight 3-pointers to lead the team with 31 points on 11 of 19 shooting off the bench; Jalen Williams added 26 points with seven rebounds and three assists, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a mixed performance as he scored 24 points with 12 assists and five steals while committing four turnovers and shooting just seven of 23 from the field.
As a team, the Thunder shot just 41 percent from the field and 17 of 45 from the 3-point line as they overcame a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to extend the game, but they squandered a three-point lead late in the first overtime period before they went cold and scored just one point in the final 1:21 of the second overtime period to allow the Spurs to steal the series opener. Chet Holmgren scored just eight points on two of seven shooting, Isaiah Hartenstein scored just two points and Ajay Mitchell scored just four points in 34 minutes off the bench.
San Antonio Spurs Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs must be brimming with confidence after outlasting the Thunder in the series opener to steal home-court advantage right away. Victor Wembanyama led the way with 41 points, 24 rebounds and three blocks on 14 of 25 shooting; Dylan Harper added 24 points with 11 rebounds, six assists and seven steals, while Stephon Castle tallied 17 points with six rebounds and 11 assists.
As a team, the Spurs shot 43 percent from the field and 13 of 43 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in trouble when they squandered a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter, but just when it looked like they were about to lose in overtime, it was Wembenyama who drained a deep 3-pointer to send the game into a second overtime where the Spurs finally finished the job. Keldon Johnson was the only real contributor off the bench as he chipped in with 13 points, while Stephon Castle was sloppy with the ball as he racked up a career-high 11 turnovers.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last eight playoff games following a loss.
- The Spurs have lost each of their last 12 games as road underdogs after coming off overtime.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last eight home games following an overtime loss.
- The Spurs have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games after winning as underdogs.
Why the San Antonio Spurs will win
- The Spurs have won each of their last eight Wednesday games as underdogs.
- The Thunder have lost each of their last two Western Conference Finals games as favorites against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Spurs have covered the spread in each of their last eight Wednesday games as underdogs.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games against Southwest Division opponents.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the Thunder’s last 10 home games after coming off overtime has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Spurs’ last six games has gone OVER the total points line.
- Four of the last five Western Conference Finals games have gone OVER the total points line.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the only player in the league to have recorded 15+ assists without a turnover in a game this season.
- Cason Wallace ranks 1st in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.9) this season.
San Antonio Spurs Player Facts
- Victor Wembanyama ranks 1st amongst qualified players for blocks per game (3.1) this season.
- Stephon Castle is one of only five players to have recorded a 40+ point triple-double 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 (43.7%).
- The Spurs rank 1st in the league for Q1 points per game this season (31.9).
- The Spurs rank 1st in the league for H1 points per game this season (62.2).
Thunder vs Spurs Prediction
The Spurs could be slightly shorthanded for Game 2 as they are keeping an eye on De’Aaron Fox, who is questionable with an ankle sprain, while the Thunder are still missing Thomas Sorbey. The Thunder will be kicking themselves after suffering their first loss during these playoffs, especially because they got great games out of Williams and Caruso, but SGA had a rough night as he just wasn’t getting his usual foul calls from the referees.
The Spurs were able to dictate the tempo of the game, Wembenyama was the best player on the floor and they were able to steal home court advantage, but it’s going to be tough to beat the Thunder twice in a row in their own building. The Spurs hold the momentum, but the pressure is on the Thunder and I think they bounce back in this one with a win and cover at home to level up the series.