The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder meet Monday in NBA Game 1 at the Paycom Center. Here’s a Thunder vs. Spurs Prediction. This article will include a Thunder vs. Spurs Pick.
San Antonio Spurs Betting Preview
The San Antonio Spurs beat the Timberwolves in 6 games and are in the western conference finals for the first time since the 2016-17 season. The Spurs have won 43 of their last 54 games.
The San Antonio Spurs are averaging 116.9 points on 49 percent shooting and allowing 102.5 points on 40.5 percent shooting. Victor Wembanyama is averaging 20.3 points and 10.7 rebounds, while Stephon Castle is averaging 19.9 points and 6.1 assists. De’Aaron Fox is the third double-digit scorer, and Dylan Harper is dishing 2.2 assists. The San Antonio Spurs are shooting 38.4 percent from beyond the arc and 78 percent from the free throw line. The San Antonio Spurs are allowing 31.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 47.5 rebounds per game.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Lakers and will play for the first time in a week. The Thunder have won 15 of their last 17 games.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 121.3 points on 51 percent shooting and allowing 104.6 points on 45.8 percent shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 29.1 points and 7.1 assists, while Jalen Williams is averaging 20.5 points and 4 rebounds. Ajay Mitchell is the third double-digit scorer, and Chet Holmgren is grabbing 9.1 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 38.4 percent from beyond the arc and 85.4 percent from the free throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 36 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.1 rebounds per game.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 11 games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The Spurs have lost each of their seven previous games at Paycom Center following a road win.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last seven Western Conference Finals home games following a win.
- The Spurs have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine night games at Paycom Center.
Why the San Antonio Spurs will win
- The Spurs have won each of their six previous Game 1s of a playoff series against the Thunder.
- The Thunder have lost four of their last five games against Spurs teams that held a winning record.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Spurs have covered the spread in five of their last six playoff road games.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the Spurs’ last seven games as underdogs has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Eight of the Thunder’s last nine night games have gone OVER the total points line.
- Three of the last four 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 Injury Report
The Thunder will be without Thomas Sober due to an ACL injury.
De’Aaron Fox is questionable for the Spurs with foot soreness. Luke Kornet is also questionable with foot soreness.
Thunder vs Spurs Prediction
The Thunder are going to get the benefit of the doubt because they’re the top team, at home, and have a massive rest advantage. However, I’m grabbing the points with the Spurs. The Spurs are the one team in the league that doesn’t fear the Thunder, and they’ve won 4 of the last 5 games against them. Some of those games weren’t competitive.
Since December 10, the Spurs are 8-3 ATS as an underdog and 7 of those covers were outright wins. This series is likely going to be highly competitive and I want the points where I can get them, especially on the Spurs side, as I’ve had this team winning the title for several months now.