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The San Antonio Spurs seem pretty well locked in to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, but their foe this week, the Oklahoma City Thunder, still has a ton to play for down the stretch. Oklahoma City is currently the No. 6 seed in the West but could get as high as No. 4 with a strong finish.
The Thunder plays extremely well at home and could really use a victory in this one. However, San Antonio has the far superior overall record and is never fazed when having to hit the road. The Spurs could be small favorites in this matchup if both teams are at full strength.
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich has rested his players down the stretch so keep an eye on the availability of the team’s stars as any absences could affect the spread.
This war on the floor will go down Friday, March 31, 2017, at 8 p.m. ET at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The game will be televised live on ESPN.
We'll have NBA odds available for this and every game on the NBA Friday schedule.
Odds Analysis
The Spurs are 57-16 straight up and 38-34-1 against the spread. San Antonio has played in 37 road games on the season and has gone 20-16-1 against the spread in those matchups and 28-9 straight up. The Spurs are 34-33-1 against the spread as the favorite on the season.
Oklahoma City is 42-31 straight up and 40-33 against the spread. The Thunder has played in 37 home games this season and has been fantastic, covering in 25 of those matchups. Oklahoma City has done really well as the favorite on the year but is only 11-18 against the spread as the underdog.
Key Stat
2.5. That’s how many games back San Antonio is from Golden State right now in the Western Conference standings. It won’t be easy, but with nine games remaining the Spurs still have a chance at snagging the No. 1 seed in this year’s playoffs.
The Spurs and the Warriors face off this week for the final time this season on Wednesday. San Antonio is 2-0 against last season’s runner up so far and will look to make it three straight. The Spurs will only remain in striking distance if they can win this road game against the Thunder, but it won’t be easy.
The Spurs also have notable matchups remaining against the Jazz and the Clippers in addition to Friday’s showdown against the Thunder. The team is led by a robust defense that ranks No. 2 in the nation for points against, allowing only 98.1 a game.
Player to Watch
Russell Westbrook -- The Oklahoma City star had a triple-double the last time these two teams met on March 9th. Behind Westbook’s 23 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists the Thunder won the matchup 102-92.
He had 27 points, six rebounds and 14 assists in the first meeting between these teams back in January. Westbrook is averaging a triple-double on the season with 31.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game.
Westbrook is among the top candidates for the league’s MVP this season and a strong performance against a tough Spurs team this week certainly won’t hurt his case. He comes in on a hot streak having combined for 76 points in back-to-back games against Houston and Dallas.
Free NBA ATS Pick
The Thunder probably need this game more than the Spurs, as Popovich is more interested in resting his players than pushing hard for the unlikely chance of catching the Warriors. Oklahoma City is a flawed team but with a player like Westbrook can always compete.
The Spurs may be able to play well enough to pick up this road game, but the feeling is that the Thunder will have an inspired showing and grab a small upset. San Antonio is the better team, but on this night the Thunder will emerge victorious.
NBA Odds: Spurs 110, Thunder 106
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