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The Oklahoma City Thunder have been a markedly better team at home than on the road this season, but they are playing a team this week that succeeds no matter where it plays. The Thunder will host the San Antonio Spurs, who once again are on the short list of NBA title contenders.
The Thunder would be big underdogs on the road for this one but have the advantage of the home team behind them. Oklahoma City has been struggling of late and may be getting points in this one as the Spurs are good enough to be the favorites on the road.
San Antonio is within striking distance of the Warriors for the top seed in the West, and while it seems unlikely Golden State gets caught, the Spurs seem primed to secure the No. 2 spot. A win here would help that cause.
Don't miss the hardwood action from Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 9, 2017. Catch every moment of the game live on TNT.
We'll have NBA odds available for this and every game on the NBA Thursday schedule.
Odds Analysis
The Spurs are 48-13 straight up and 33-27-1 against the spread. They have played in 34 road games this year and have gone 19-14-1 against the spread. They are an impressive 27-7 straight up on the road this year. San Antonio is 29-26-1 against the spread as the favorite.
The Thunder is 35-28 straight up and 34-29 against the spread. Oklahoma City has won 23 of 31 games at home straight up and is 21-10 against the spread. The Thunder is just 9-16 against the spread as the underdog on the year and figures to be getting points even at home since the Spurs are so talented.
Player to Watch
Kawhi Leonard -- While the Thunder have one of the most individually impressive players in the NBA in Russell Westbrook, he isn’t the only MVP candidate who will be on the floor.
Leonard has turned into a superstar the past two seasons and is putting together one of the best seasons in the league. He is averaging 26.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.9 steals per game.
Leonard isn’t only a great player on the offensive end of the court but is a lockdown defender. Westbrook is averaging a triple-double and will be the most athletic person on the court, but Leonard may match up with him in certain times to try to slow him down.
Key Stat
4. The Thunder is within that many games of moving up to the No. 4 seed as the season winds down. If the playoffs started today, these two teams would face off in the first round of the playoffs. The Thunder don’t want that, as they would be heavy underdogs. Oklahoma City would much prefer to move up the standings and play an easier foe.
Oklahoma City has lost three straight games and hopes to turn it on down the stretch. The Thunder added Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott from the Bulls near the trading deadline but are still trying to get them to jell with the rest of the team.
Westbrook has been phenomenal this season but needs some more help. McDermott was added to be another scoring option but has not filled in well quite yet.
Free NBA ATS Pick
The Warriors get all the headlines in the West but the Spurs continue to do their thing. They have clinched a playoff berth and the presence of Leonard, LaMarcus Aldridge and so many other key veterans has them in the mix for the championship.
Oklahoma City knocked San Antonio out of the playoffs a year ago but that was with Kevin Durant in the fold. With Westbrook the only star, the Thunder are closer to a .500 team.
Oklahoma City isn’t a contender this year but would love to win a playoff series. It would be hard to do so against the Spurs, and that’s why beating them here in the regular season would be such a big boost.
It’s not going to happen. The Spurs have the more well-rounded team and should pick up this road win.
NBA Odds: Spurs 106, Thunder 102
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