The Oklahoma City Thunder has the star power to be a contender in the Western Conference this season, but it’s not playing like it quite yet. The trio of Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Paul George is still working out its chemistry but hopes to come together in the next few weeks. It could take a big step forward by knocking off the San Antonio Spurs in an early-season matchup of expected contenders.
It won’t be easy, as San Antonio has a solid record despite some key injuries. The Spurs are playing at home in this one and should be the favorite. Oklahoma City will need to move the ball well in this one because San Antonio’s team defense is adept at shutting down players who attack in isolation, which Oklahoma City tends to do quite often.
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Odds Analysis
The Spurs have long been one of the best teams in the NBA and this year looks no different. They are 8-5 on the year, which is behind only the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference standings.
Oklahoma City is 6-7 but does have a point-differential average of plus-5.5, which is a good sign that some more success lies ahead. The Thunder will likely be the underdogs in this one no matter what. The spread will be higher than originally thought if Spurs star Kawhi Leonard can rejoin the team for this one, but odds are he remains sidelined with a quadriceps injury.
Player to Watch
Paul George — Oklahoma City’s small forward was a welcomed addition to the Thunder this season, but it hasn’t been quite the start many anticipated with the newly-added star power. The Thunder has failed to win close games early and George is still struggling to carve out a new role on his new team alongside Carmelo Anthony and the league’s reigning MVP Russell Westbrook.
However, after losing four in a row, the Thunder have won two straight heading into Wednesday’s game against Chicago and George has combined for 79 points and 17 rebounds in those wins. Perhaps the superstar has turned a corner.
He is averaging a team-high 22.5 points per game this year with 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 steals. Westbrook averaged a triple-double a season ago and still has good numbers, averaging 20.2 points, 9.8 assists and 8.4 rebounds per game. Anthony is putting up 20.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Key Stat
Six. That’s how many games the Spurs have won at home this season out of eight matchups held at AT&T Center. Even without two of their best players in Leonard and point guard Tony Parker, San Antonio is a historically hard team to beat at home and this season has proven no different.
In their most recent home game against Chicago on Saturday, the Spurs captured a 133-94 win behind a double-double from Pau Gasol. They’re heading out for back-to-back road games against Dallas and Minnesota this week before returning home to face the Thunder on Friday.
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The Thunder should get better as the year goes along, but the team hasn’t quite gelled. That’s not a good sign in a game like this, as the Spurs are masters at taking advantage of teams that have miscommunications.
Oklahoma City has some of the most talented players in the NBA, but the Spurs are more of a well-rounded team. Take San Antonio to defend its home court and come away with a close win.
Both teams have solid defenses, so this one could be a low-scoring affair. Check out the scoring total when it is released because the “under” could be the correct play.
NBA Odds: Spurs 98, Thunder 95
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