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.
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.
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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.
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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
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
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.
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OKC was especially good at bouncing back from losses last season, and I anticipate that will be the case again this season. The Thunder struggled late in Portland on Wednesday, but after a day of rest, they should be closer to their typical form. Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso are off the injury report, and Luguent Dort is questionable. Meanwhile, Domantas Sabonis is questionable for the Kings. I think OKC comes out with a sense of urgency, covering the double-digit spread.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Favored by Double Digits in Sacramento
Now the Thunder turns its attention to the Portland Trail Blazers, whom they face on Wednesday night in the second game of a back-to-back and the second game of a four-game road trip.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #9 Preview: Portland Trail Blazers
OKC had a late matchup with the Clippers last night in LA, but they took care of business early enough to allow starters some rest for at least a good chunk of the fourth quarter. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t play a minute of the final period, and I think that little extra rest will pay dividends in tonight’s second game of a back-to-back on the road. Portland appears to be exceeding expectations early, but I don’t see them maintaining that energy against the reigning NBA Champs. I’m taking the Thunder to cover.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Takes on Blazers in Road SEGABABA as Slight Favorite
The Oklahoma City Thunder is finally back at home on Tuesday evening as they play in the second game of a back-to-back, hot off the heels of a 101-94 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. The Thunder returns to OKC with 3 straight road wins to move to 4-0 on the season, and now they host the Sacramento Kings.
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