The Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) and their second-ranked offense welcome the San Antonio Spurs (61-11) and their first-ranked defense. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Saturday, Mar. 26 and can be seen on NBA, FxK and FSW.
The Thunder enter this game hoping for similar success after dismantling the Jazz 113-91 on Thursday. Kevin Durant was the game’s leading scorer with 20 points on 7-for-11 shooting. The Spurs, meanwhile, are coming off a 110-104 win against the Grizzlies on Friday. LaMarcus Aldridge claimed his 23rd double-double of the season with 32 points and 12 rebounds.
Aldridge has been hot for the Spurs, averaging 21.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.2 blocks over the past five games.
This showdown pits one of the league’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses, as Oklahoma City currently ranks second in the NBA in offensive efficiency and San Antonio is first in defensive efficiency.
Both teams have won a game in the season series. The Spurs had the upper hand in the most recent game, a 93-85 win. Aldridge had a standout performance in the victory, putting up 24 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and one block.
The Thunder come into this game 50-22 Straight Up (SU) and 30-39-3 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 50-22 SU and 30-39-3 ATS against the Western Conference. Oklahoma City’s defense has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average points allowed per game dropped to 93.5 during that span, compared to its 102.9 season average.
As for their opponent, the Spurs have 61-11 SU and 42-30 ATS records. Against the Western Conference, San Antonio is 61-11 SU and 42-30 ATS. The Spurs convert their free throws at a high percentage, ranking second in the league at .805. The Spurs are the better of the two teams when it comes to assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking second in the NBA at 1.98. The Spurs average 92.4 points allowed per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 100.5 points per game during that span. The Spurs allow the fewest opponent three-pointers made in the league with 463 (6.0 per game).
San Antonio beat Oklahoma City in their most recent meeting this season, bumping its SU record over the last 10 meetings to 6-4. The teams are even ATS, with a 5-5 record.
Predictions: SU Winner – SA
Notes
“Oklahoma City is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games “.
“Oklahoma City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games “.
“The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma City’s last 6 games “.
“Oklahoma City is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home”.
“The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma City’s last 6 games at home”.
“Oklahoma City is 15-7-1 ATS in its last 23 games when playing San Antonio”.
“Oklahoma City is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing San Antonio”.
“The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma City’s last 6 games when playing San Antonio”.
“Oklahoma City is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games when playing at home against San Antonio”.
“Oklahoma City is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against San Antonio”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Oklahoma City’s last 9 games when playing at home against San Antonio”.
On average, San Antonio puts up 104.5 points per game (ranked sixth). Oklahoma City ranks 15th in points allowed per game with 102.9.
San Antonio scores an average of 102.9 points per away game (ranked eighth). Oklahoma City ranks 10th in points allowed per home game with 100.0.
The Thunder have a 27-4 record when they allow fewer than 100 points. The Spurs, however, have performed well when they don’t hit triple digits, with a record of 16-9 in such contests.
When the Oklahoma City Thunder allow at least 100 points they are 23-18, while the San Antonio Spurs are 45-2 when they register triple digits.
The Spurs have the best defense in the NBA, with a defensive rating of 96.3. The Thunder’s offense ranks a solid second, with an offensive rating of 110.4.
The Oklahoma City Thunder average 99.9 possessions and 1.104 points per possession in games this season. The San Antonio Spurs average fewer possessions with 95.3, as well as fewer points per possession with 1.096.
Ranked third in the NBA, Oklahoma City has an average effective field goal percentage of 52.4%. San Antonio is 7-6 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
San Antonio ranks near the top of the league in assists at third (25.0 assists per game). Oklahoma City is ranked ninth, with 23.0 assists per game.
Oklahoma City ranks near the top of the league in blocking at fourth (6.1 blocks per game). San Antonio is ranked fifth, with 6.0 blocks per game.
Oklahoma City is the top-ranked team in terms of offensive rebounds. On the other side, San Antonio is a very strong team when it comes to defensive rebounding, ranked fourth.
On average, Oklahoma City makes 7.3 steals per game. San Antonio has a superb 32-7 record when it allows at least 7 steals.
