The Oklahoma City Thunder (38-29) will have their hands full against the league’s top scoring defense when they challenge the San Antonio Spurs (37-28) at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The game is scheduled to get underway at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 10, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 210.5 points with Oklahoma City set as a 4.5-point favorite.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder ATS Prediction
In the Spurs’ last matchup, they were defeated by the Golden State Warriors, 110-107. One of Golden State’s largest strengths was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 20-23 (87.0 percent), while the Spurs were 15-18 (83.3 percent). LaMarcus Aldridge was San Antonio’s leading scorer with 30 points on 11-for-20 shooting.
The Thunder won big over the Phoenix Suns in their last game, 115-87. The Thunder had an extraordinary effective field goal percentage of 0.606 (above their season average of 0.512), while the Suns had a free throw rate of 0.174 (below their season average of 0.209). Russell Westbrook was Oklahoma City’s leading scorer with 27 points on 11-for-14 shooting.
Oklahoma City might have difficulty finding the bottom of the net as they square off against one of the NBA’s best defenses. San Antonio currently ranks second in defensive efficiency while the Thunder rank 12th in offensive efficiency.
San Antonio comes into the contest with records of 37-28 straight up (SU) and 32-29-4 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Spurs have finished under the projected point total 52.3 percent of the time.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City owns records of 38-29 SU and 26-40-1 ATS. Games featuring the Thunder also have a slight tendency to finish under the O/U total (53.7 percent).
The two teams have split their two matchups this season. The Thunder won the most recent matchup 90-87, but were unable to cover as 9-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 177 points, which was 23 points below the projected point total of 200 points. Oklahoma City had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (32.6 vs. 20.0). San Antonio, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of making free throws (17-23; 73.9 percent). Dejounte Murray had a double-double in the loss with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Spurs, ATS Winner – Spurs, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, San Antonio is 15-16-3 ATS with 20 unders, 13 overs and 1 push.
At home, Oklahoma City is 13-19-1 ATS with 18 unders and 15 overs.
When allowing below 100 points, Oklahoma City is 19-5 and San Antonio is 25-10.
The Spurs are 30-10 when they reach the century mark, while the Thunder are 34-15.
San Antonio ranks sixth in three pointers allowed per game (26.8) while Oklahoma City ranks 27th (30.7).
The Thunder rank first in steals per game (8.9) while the Spurs rank 20th (7.5).
Oklahoma City ranks first in points off turnovers per game (18.7) while San Antonio ranks 20th (16.2).
The Thunder rank fourth in fast break points per game (14.9) while the Spurs rank 21st (10.1).
San Antonio ranks 12th in assists per game (22.9) while Oklahoma City ranks 28th (21.1).
The Thunder average 15.1 second chance points per game, which ranks first in the NBA. The Spurs rank 13th in second chance points allowed per game (12.0).
San Antonio ranks second in blocks allowed per game (3.8) while Oklahoma City ranks 12th (4.7).
The Thunder rank third in rebounds allowed per game (41.5) while the Spurs rank 12th (42.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, San Antonio is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Oklahoma City is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Spurs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.2, down from 2.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 112.4 points per game (5.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 108.6 points per game (4.8 above their season average).
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