The Oklahoma City Thunder believes it is an NBA championship contender, even though it would have to get through the Golden State Warriors just to make the finals. Oklahoma City will aim to show the blueprint to defeating Golden State when the teams meet up in a head-to-head clash this week.
The Thunder could really use a win as it battles the Rockets and Blazers for the No. 3 seed in the East. The Warriors are atop the West but are facing some competition from the Nuggets. As the season ticks down the games become crucial and this looks like it should be a competitive and intriguing showdown in NBA wagering.
This NBA basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder will be held at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Canada at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 16th, 2019. The game will be nationally televised on ABC.
We'll have NBA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for every game of the 2019 NBA season.
Odds Analysis
The Warriors are 46-21 on the year. They have only gone 5-5 over their past 10 games but picked up a really nice win last time out on the road against Houston. Golden State is battle-tested and can win anywhere. It is 22-12 on the road this year and will look for another key victory as it aims to stay ahead of Denver for the No. 1 seed.
Oklahoma City has gone 42-27 this season. The Thunder has also struggled of late with four wins in its past 10 games. Oklahoma City built a big halftime lead but couldn’t hold on against the Pacers last time out. The Thunder has gone 23-9 at home this season and would love to pick up this one in NBA betting.
Injury Report
The Warriors could be without a key piece as star forward Kevin Durant continues to recover from an ankle injury. The malady kept him out of the team’s victory over Houston and his availability for this one seems in serious doubt. Keep a close eye on any definitive updates because it is a crucial development.
Durant is having another excellent season, averaging 27.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. He is shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from three-point range. The Warriors have Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins and Draymond Green to rely on if Durant can’t go, so there won’t be any panic, but it would still be a big loss.
Key Stat
49.5. That’s the percentage Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook is shooting from the floor the past five games. It’s a big development if his shot is back, because that has been the only flaw in his game this season. He is shooting only 43 percent from the field on the year.
Westbrook is averaging a triple-double this season and everyone knows that he can impact the game in a variety of ways. He has not been very good from three-point range for the majority of the year, and Golden State will give him those shots. If he can connect, it gives the Thunder a good shot at coming away with the victory.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Warriors beat the Rockets on the road last time out and will send another message against the Thunder. Golden State may not have Durant in this one, but it will be primed up and ready to secure a win as the focus gets tighter with the playoffs approaching.
The Warriors’ regular season has been bumpier than wanted but they will smooth things out in a quest for another championship. This will be another statement win over Oklahoma City in NBA gambling.
NBA ATS Pick: Golden State Warriors 117, Oklahoma City Thunder 112
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