The Oklahoma City Thunder head to Golden State to take on the Warriors in Game of the Western Conference Finals, pitting the top-ranked offense against the first-ranked defense. The game starts at 9:00 pm ET on Wednesday, May 18 and will air on TNT.
The Warriors lost to the Thunder 108-102 on Monday. Despite the loss, Stephen Curry earned his 17th double-double this season with 26 points and 10 rebounds.
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength, as the productive offense of Golden State (first in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 112.8) takes on the elite defense of Oklahoma City (fourth in the league with a defensive efficiency of 103.4). Also, the Thunder’s second-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 110.5) will face off against the first-ranked defense of the Warriors (defensive efficiency of 101.3).
The Warriors have gone 81-12 Straight Up (SU) and 50-40-3 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last 10 games, they have had success covering the spread (7-3). The Warriors have no trouble scoring as they lead the league in offense with 114.7 points per game. Golden State is one of the most disciplined teams in the league with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.96. As for the Golden State defense, teams really have to fight for open three-pointers against the Warriors, who have the best opponent three-point field goal percentage in the league at .336. Golden State is one of the league’s top scoring teams off turnovers with an average of 17.3 points per game.
In the other locker room, Oklahoma City has a SU record of 64-30 and an ATS record of 44-47-3. In Western Conference games, Oklahoma City has gone 64-30 SU and 44-47-3 ATS. The Thunder rank second in the league in scoring, averaging 109.7 points per game.
The Thunder’s win over Golden State in their last clash couldn’t give them the edge in the head-to-head record over the past 10 meetings, where the Warriors still lead 6-4 SU. Furthermore, the Warriors lead the matchup ATS with a record of 5-4-1.
Predictions: SU Winner – GS
Notes
Oklahoma City has allowed an average of 105.9 points per away game this season. Golden State averages 115.7 points per home game, placing the team at the top of the NBA in scoring.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Golden State Warriors are an outstanding 31-2. In games where they fail to hit triple digits, the Oklahoma City Thunder have an underachieving record of 5-16.
The Warriors have a 50-10 record when they allow at least 100 points. The Thunder have also performed well when they reach the century mark with a record of 59-14 in such games.
The Warriors have the top-ranked offense this season, averaging 112.8 points per 100 possessions. The Thunder have one of the best defenses, allowing 103.4 points in the same number of possessions (ranked fourth).
The Golden State Warriors average 101.7 possessions and 1.128 points per possession in games this season. The Oklahoma City Thunder average fewer possessions with 99.3, as well as fewer points per possession with 1.105.
Oklahoma City has an average effective field goal percentage of 52.3%, ranked fourth in the league. Golden State is a winning 14-5 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
The Golden State Warriors, with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.96, rank second in the NBA. The Oklahoma City Thunder have a lower A/TO (1.49), ranking 24th.
Oklahoma City is at the top of the NBA when it comes to rebounding with 48.4 per game. On the other side, Golden State also earns a lot of rebounds, with a rank of third (46.1 per game).
The Oklahoma City Thunder rank at the top of the league in offensive rebounding, but the Golden State Warriors are the best at defensive rebounding in the NBA.
On average, the Warriors force a turnover rate of 13.7%, ranked first in the NBA. When the Thunder turn over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a solid 40-22 record.
