Historically, when a playoff series is tied at 2-2, the winner of Game 5 goes on to win the series almost 82% of the time. This one is kind of a big deal.
Tag: Alex Caruso
Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Enters Game 3 of WCF Against Spurs as Rare Underdog
OKC is 2-1 in clutch games out of 10 playoff games played so far. San Antonio is 2-4 in clutch games out of 13 playoff games played so far. Both Games 1 and 2 were close ones, with each team taking a win apiece, and Game 3 should be another game decided in the clutch. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning clutch player of the year, and though he’s not been nearly as hot late in games in the playoffs, I trust him over Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, or anybody else San Antonio has. I think OKC pulls this one out to take a 2-1 series lead.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Enters Game 3 of WCF Against Spurs as Rare Underdog
Oklahoma City Thunder | Western Conference Finals Game 2 Preview: San Antonio Spurs
Game 2 will be a big game of adjustments as Mark Daigneault tries to get the Thunder ready to tie up the series. Attack the rim more—even if Wemby is in the paint—rebound the ball at a much more efficient rate, and keep the crowd in the game by way of momentum.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Western Conference Finals Game 2 Preview: San Antonio Spurs
Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Looks to Bounce Back in Game 2 of WCF Favored Over Spurs
Same spread, different game. As good as Game 1 was for basketball fans in general, the Thunder didn’t play all that well outside of Alex Caruso popping off for a career playoff-high of 31 points, just 1 point shy of tying his career-high. Jalen Williams was solid in his return to action after missing nearly a month, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a pretty rough game, and Chet was generally bad after having a great run in the playoffs so far. Victory Wembanyama was an animal in Game 1, and the Spurs are definitely the Thunder’s best competition in the league, but OKC has lost back-to-back games just 4 times this season, never back-to-back at home. I anticipate a bounce back for OKC, resulting in a solid cover.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Looks to Bounce Back in Game 2 of WCF Favored Over Spurs
Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #67 Preview: Boston Celtics
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will try his hand at making history on Thursday night as the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Boston Celtics. SGA has scored 20+ points in 126 consecutive games, which ties him with Wilt Chamberlain, and barring some sort of disaster, he should be able to move into first.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #67 Preview: Boston Celtics
Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Heavily Favored in NBA Cup Quarterfinal Against Phoenix
Just a couple of weeks ago, these two teams met in an NBA Cup game that was a dog fight. This one could be the same, but in the end, I see the Thunder covering because of the rest that some key guys have received. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luguentz Dort, and Alex Caruso are all returning from injury after sitting out at least the last game, and if the Suns have to go without Devin Booker (strained right groin), then OKC could make this one a blowout early.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Heavily Favored in NBA Cup Quarterfinal Against Phoenix
Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #24 Preview: Utah Jazz
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s historic start to the regular season could be in jeopardy on Sunday night as they take on the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City without a handful of key players. Isaiah Hartenstein, Luguentz Dort, Alex Caruso, and Isaiah Joe have all missed extended time recently, but now reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is set to miss his first game of the season with elbow bursitis.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #24 Preview: Utah Jazz
Thunder Against the Spread | Shorthanded OKC Enters Meeting With Jazz as Solid Road Favorite
This is as low a spread as OKC has had in quite some time, and it’s not because of a tough opponent. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is set to miss his first game of the season with elbow bursitis, and the Thunder is also without Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex Caruso, and Isaiah Joe. That’s a pretty lengthy list of key players. Still, OKC is as deep as they come, and this will allow Jalen Williams to run the show in a sense. Even with all the absences, I still think OKC wins by double digits.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | Shorthanded OKC Enters Meeting With Jazz as Solid Road Favorite
Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Takes on Warriors as Double-Digit Road Favorite
OKC continues to deal with injuries to key players—Isaiah Hartenstein, Luguentz Dort, Alex Caruso are all out tonight—but the Warriors are missing Stephen Curry, and Jimmy Butler is questionable to play. The Thunder seems to find a way to win regardless of who is healthy, usually on the back of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but it’s not always easy. Even though the Warriors are without Curry, and especially if Butler can play, I think this will be a single-digit game when the final horn sounds.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Takes on Warriors as Double-Digit Road Favorite
Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #10 Preview: Sacramento Kings
The Oklahoma City Thunder suffered their first loss of the season on Wednesday in Portland, a 121-119 decision against the Blazers. They have a chance to get back on the winning track on Friday night in Sacramento as they take on the Kings for the second time in 10 days.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #10 Preview: Sacramento Kings