Zachary Low

Thunder Against the Spread | No Surprise: OKC Is a HEAVY Favorite Hosting Portland

Portland is terrible. When these two teams met in OKC less than two weeks ago, history was made as the Thunder destroyed the Blazers by 62 points, the fifth largest margin of victory in NBA history. Still, they have played teams consistently closer since then, and they even managed to pick up back-to-back wins in the five games since. While I still think OKC will win by double digits, I think Portland barely manages to cover the spread.

Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Has Tough Cover On the Road Against the Timberwolves

Zachary LowJanuary 20, 2024 No Comments Anthony Edwards Chet Holmgren Jalen Williams Karl-Anthony Towns Minnesota Timberwolves Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma Sooners Rudy Gobert Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The season series so far between these teams has come down to the home team having that home court advantage. OKC played Minnesota close in Minneapolis to lose by 3 points, but the Thunder dominated the Timberwolves in OKC. This is the fourth game of a 4-game road trip for the Thunder, and I think it’s going to be another close one, but Minnesota just doesn’t really lose at home, so I think the Timberwolves win and barely cover the spread.

Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #41 Preview: Utah Jazz

Zachary LowJanuary 18, 2024 No Comments Chet Holmgren Jalen Williams Lauri Markkanen Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma Sooners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Utah Jazz

If OKC wants to get back in the win column, they’re going to have to figure out a way to slow down the Jazz on offense, particularly Lauri Markkanen, who is averaging 27.2 points on 54-50-92 shooting splits. SGA hasn’t played well the last couple of games, possibly because of dealing with a sprained knee, but he’s not listed on the injury report, so it’s not a good excuse regardless. If Shai isn’t hitting shots, he is going to need to figure out a way to rely more on his teammates. Either way, the Thunder has the talent and the depth to take care of the Jazz in Utah, and tonight’s matchup should be a fun one.

Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Favored in Salt Lake City Against Streaking Jazz

Zachary LowJanuary 18, 2024 1 Comment Chet Holmgren Jalen Williams Lauri Markannen Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma Sooners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Utah Jazz

All signs point to OKC stumbling in this one. The Jazz are riding a 6-game winning streak, and their only loss in the last 10 games was to the Celtics in Boston. Meanwhile, the Thunder has lost two straight on the road, albeit to the Lakers and the Clippers. Regardless of trends, I’m taking the Thunder to cover, primarily because when they have yet to streak in a downward manner for very long. OKC has yet to lose three consecutive games this season, and I don’t think that happens tonight, even if the Jazz ARE playing really good basketball.

Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #40 Preview: LA Clippers

Zachary LowJanuary 16, 2024 No Comments Chet Holmgren Jalen Williams James Harden Kawhi Leonard LA Clippers Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma Sooners Paul George Russell Westbrook Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Now the Thunder faces the tall task of playing the LA Clippers in the second game of a back-to-back on the road. The Clippers have lost just 4 games since the start of December, picking up that fourth loss on Sunday night in Minnesota against the Timberwolves. They haven’t loss back-to-back games since doing so a month again when they lost to the Thunder in Oklahoma City before losing at home to the Boston Celtics.

Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Faces Tough Clippers Squad as Road Underdog in SEGABABA

Zachary LowJanuary 16, 2024 1 Comment Chet Holmgren Kawhi Leonard LA Clippers Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma Sooners Paul George Russell Westbrook Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Let’s be very clear: the spread is only as big as it is because OKC is playing in the second game of a road back-to-back while the Clippers are coming off a day of rest. The Clippers are probably the hottest team in the league right now, so it’s going to take a lot for the Thunder to stick around in this one. Whether or not Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (sprained left knee) is good to go will likely be the key factor in how competitive OKC can be in this one. Either way, I’m taking the Thunder to cover, but I don’t think they can pull out a win in this one.

Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #39 Preview: Los Angeles Lakers

Zachary LowJanuary 15, 2024 No Comments Anthony Davis Chet Holmgren Jalen Williams Lebron James Los Angeles Lakers Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma Sooners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

A little over three weeks ago, the Oklahoma City Thunder suffered a 129-120 loss at home to the Los Angeles Lakers. OKC had one of…

Thunder Against the Spread | OKC On the Road Against Lakers is Basically a Pick ‘Em

Zachary LowJanuary 15, 2024 1 Comment Anthony Davis Chet Holmgren Lebron James Los Angeles Lakers Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma Sooners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Depending on which betting line you look at from the various sports books, this game is basically a pick ’em. There are variants of OKC a 1.5-point favorite all the way to the Lakers being a 1-point favorite, so pick your poison. Basically, take whoever you think is going to win, and that’s who you’re taking to cover the spread. I think OKC picks up the win on the road tonight, so I’m taking them to cover whatever the spread actually ends up being.

Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #38 Preview: Orlando Magic

Zachary LowJanuary 13, 2024 No Comments Chet Holmgren Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma Sooners Orlando Magic Paolo Banchero Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

This is the first matchup between the #1 and #2 picks of the 2022 drafts as the Magic’s Paolo Banchero will face off with OKC’s Chet Holmgren. Banchero won Rookie of the Year last year, and after missing last season due to injury, Holmgren has a good shot at getting Rookie of the Year this year.

Thunder Against the Spread | OKC a Double-Digit Favorite At Home Against Magic

Zachary LowJanuary 13, 2024 1 Comment Chet Holmgren Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma Sooners Orlando Magic Paolo Banchero Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Before the Portland game, I said I don’t really like double-digit spreads. I knew the Blazers were awful, though, so I wasn’t particularly concerned, and the Thunder obviously covered that one. Orlando, however, is quite a bit better, and despite the fact that they are dealing with several injuries, they don’t lose by double digits very often, so I’m thinking OKC doesn’t cover the spread in this one.

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Author: Zachary Low