The Warriors are hoping to extend the winning run to three matches, while the Thunder are looking to snap the two-game losing streak. With plenty of picks and markets to choose from, don’t waste your time and join the action at Get More Sports.
Golden State Warriors at Oklahoma City Thunder
Spread: Golden State Warriors -6 (-110) at BetDSI Sportsbook
Total: Over/Under 224 points (-110)
The Warriors are visiting Oklahoma in the fourth consecutive road game
The Golden State Warriors were on the seven-game winning run before suffering a defeat to the Celtics in Boston, but they managed to bounce back with two victories over the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets. Golden State is in the second place in the Western Conference with the 13-4 record, the same as another title contender the Houston Rockets, and the reigning champions are looking for the eight road win of the season when they face the Thunder on Wednesday.
Golden State scored 64 points in the opening half at Brooklyn, limiting the Nets to just 42, and although the hosts responded with 69 points in the second half in opposite to the Warriors’ 54, Steve Kerr’s side managed to secure a 118:11 win. The Warriors had a solid 51.1% from the field, and 41.7& from the perimeter (10-24), while they were better in rebounds (57-52), assists (29-24), and recorded even 14 blocks, 12 more than Brooklyn. Steph Curry led Golden State with a double-double of season-high 39 points (14-24 FG, 4-10 3PT 7-8 FT), and season-high 11 boards, along with seven dishes, game-high three steals, but also committed season-high seven turnovers, and was forced to leave the tilt in the final minutes after collecting six personal fouls. Klay Thompson posted a double-double of 23 points and season-high ten rebounds, along with two thefts; Andre Iguodala scored 12 points and five boards, while Omri Casspi contributed with 12 points, eight rebounds, and a couple of rejections.
Iguodala and Casspi received more minutes on the floor as Kevin Durant missed the tilt with a sprained left ankle, and in case Durantula is unable to perform here, Iggy and Casspi will continue to play significant roles. Curry is surely the man to watch for the visitors as he clashes Russell Westbrook, and we could witness a classic shootout between the two superstar point guards. Draymond Green, who hit only one shot on eight attempts on Monday, will likely bounce back offensively against Carmelo Anthony, but his main job will be to limit Melo as much as possible. Green did have eight assists, seven rebounds, two steals, and two blocks at Brooklyn, and even when he doesn’t score plenty of points, his presence on the floor is crucial for the Warriors. Thompson could have a tough matchup with Andre Roberson who is an excellent perimeter defender, but I expect Klay to score 20+ points, especially if Durant is forced to miss this one.
Steve Kerr has almost entire team healthy and at his disposal as only Durant is questionable with that sprained left ankle injury. Kevin practiced fully on Tuesday, but the player himself said that he is unsure whether he’ll be ready to feature on Wednesday. The Warriors are scoring 117.88 points per contest on average (1st in the NBA), while they are allowing 107.47 points in return (21st in the NBA). Golden State is the best team in the league when it comes to field goal percentage (51.48%) and three-point percentage (40.38%), while they are among the best ten teams (8th) in rebounding (45.76). Their defense is also among the top five (3rd) in limiting the opponents from the field (43.23%) and in the 7th position in defending the perimeter (34.17%).
Place: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Date/Time: Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017, 8 PM ET
TV Coverage: ESPN, FS OKLAHOMA HD, NBCSBA
The Thunder return home after a two-game road trip
The Oklahoma City Thunder are hoping to bounce back against the reigning champions following consecutive losses on the road to the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans. Billy Donovan’s side is playing way above expectations so far in this campaign, as the Thunder are in the 10th position in the Western Conference with the 7-9 record, and unless they improve quickly, even the playoff post could be in jeopardy.
Oklahoma is playing better at home, but the road record has been disastrous as they suffered seven defeats away from Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Oklahoma led throughout the opening half in New Orleans, but the hosts responded well after the interval and won 114:107, limiting the Thunder to just 42 points in the second half. The Thunder lost the battle under the rims as they had nine boards fewer than the Pelicans (40-49), and recorded 22 assists opposite to New Orleans’ 26. Paul George led Oklahoma with 26 points, five rebounds, four dimes, and tied the season-high with five thefts, while Russell Westbrook posted his fifth triple-double of the season with 22 points, 16 boards, and 12 dishes, adding three steals to his name. Carmelo Anthony contributed with 19 points, nine rebounds, and season-high four thefts, Steven Adams scored 15 points, while Jerami Grant chipped in with ten points. Paul George could be the team’s top scorer again on this one as he faces Omri Casspi, but will mostly play against the defensive monster Iguodala, and that matchup could limit him offensively. Anthony will have more problems in a clash with Green, so Westbrook’s performance could be vital on this one. Adams failed to reach double-double in the previous seven displays, but I expect him to own the paint against Zaza Pachulia.
Billy Donovan is delighted to have all players healthy and ready to go on Wednesday as no new injuries occurred. The Thunder are scoring 103.19 points per contest on average (19th in the NBA), while they are allowing 98.56 points in return (4th in the NBA). Surprisingly, Oklahoma’s offense is among the least efficient in the league so far, but the defense is playing well, limiting the rivals to 43.67% from the field (6th), and 34.59% from beyond the arc (9th).
Golden State Warriors at Oklahoma City Thunder Trends & Prediction
The Warriors are 7-10 against the spread (4-5 away), while they are 9-7-1 on over/under (5-3-1 away), and considering their high-flying offense that scored 242 points in the past two matches; this one could produce more than 225 points.
The Thunder are 7-9 against the spread (5-2 home), while they are 6-10 on over/under (3-4 home), and despite allowing 109.00 points in the previous two games, Oklahoma’s D is playing well at home. Still, it will be hard to contain the Warriors’ terrific offense even with Durant out, so I a backing OVER on this one, while I am not sure about the spread. The braver players could opt for Oklahoma, only because they are playing at home.
My Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder +6 (-110)
Total: Over 224 points (-110)
