Oklahoma City Thunder (40-17) vs. San Antonio Spurs (11-47)
As the NBA season moves forward, Thursday’s matchup between Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs is drawing widespread interest from basketball expert picks and fans alike. Oklahoma City have been one of the best teams this season; while San Antonio have struggled and fallen to last place. This game provides an intriguing contrast in team performance and aspirations.
The Oklahoma City Thunder enter this matchup boasting the second highest-scoring offense in the NBA, putting up 121.5 points per game. They excel in shooting efficiency with a 50.2% field goal percentage along with a 39.8% mark from 3-point range. In addition, the Thunder average 8.2 steals per game, demonstrating their capabilities on the defensive side of the ball in forcing turnovers.
The San Antonio Spurs have struggled to find offensive consistency, ranking in the bottom third of the league in scoring with just 112.1 points per contest. Lackluster shooting has hindered their output, as evidenced by their 46% field goal and 34.3% 3-point percentages. Defensively, the Spurs allow the 9th most points in the NBA, underscoring issues that have contributed greatly to their disastrous 11-47 record. The Thunder’s elite offense looks poised to exploit San Antonio’s troubles on that end of the floor.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs Game Info
| When: | Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 8:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Frost Bank Center |
| TV: | KENS |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG) vs. Victor Wembanyama (C)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing at an MVP level this season, averaging 31.2 points and 6.6 assists per game. His versatile scoring ability coupled with playmaking for others has powered much of the Thunder’s success. Though turnover prone at times with 2.2 per game, his 3.1 assist-to-turnover ratio demonstrates his overall effectiveness.
On the other side, French phenom Victor Wembanyama has flashed immense potential in his rookie campaign. He has posted 20.7 points, 10.1 rebounds and a staggering 3.3 blocks per game. His rare combination of length, agility and shooting makes him a mismatch nightmare. However, foul trouble and inconsistent shooting have hindered Wembanyama’s production.
Gilgeous-Alexander should be able to exploit Wembanyama’s defensive limitations in pick-and-rolls and isolation plays. However, Wembanyama’s weakside shot blocking presents a problem if Gilgeous-Alexander drives recklessly to the basket. Ultimately, Gilgeous-Alexander’s vast offensive skill set gives him a significant individual advantage that should manifest on the scoreboard.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this game are yet to be determined, but given the Thunder’s recent form and the Spurs’ struggles, it’s likely the Thunder will enter as favorites. Bettors should keep an eye on the spread and moneyline as they become available to gauge the perceived competitiveness of the matchup.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends
The Oklahoma City Thunder come into this matchup extremely hot, having won their last 5 games straight up. They have also covered the spread in each of those contests. For the season, the Thunder have been strong on the road against the number, posting a 16-11 record away from home. The over looks to be in play as well, going over the total in 2 of Oklahoma City’s previous 5 games. For the year, high-scoring affairs have been common in Thunder home games with 15 of their 29 games going over the projected point total.
San Antonio Spurs Betting Trends
The San Antonio Spurs have struggled recently, dropping 4 of their last 5 games. Their performance against the spread has been decent though, covering in 3 of those 5 matchups. For the season, the Spurs have been average in covering numbers at home, holding a 15-17 record at Frost Bank Center. The over has been uncommon for San Antonio lately, going over just 1 time in their last 5 outings. However, the over has hit in 15 of the Spurs’ 26 home contests this year.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs 2/29/24 Betting Picks
Given the significant mismatch on paper coupled with betting trends strongly favoring the Thunder, this game shapes up as a blowout victory for Oklahoma City. The Thunder have dominated on both sides of the ball lately while the Spurs have sputtered. Considering the nine-point spread, backing Oklahoma City to cover seems advisable. The over also warrants consideration with both teams frequently hitting overs, especially the defensively challenged Spurs.
Oklahoma City’s red-hot offense should thrive against San Antonio’s porous defense in this contest. For those looking to get some action down on player props, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over 30.5 points looks very promising given the individual matchup against Victor Wembanyama. The best online casino sites also offer a number of specials on outcomes like the Thunder’s margin of victory.
