Damian Lillard – Heartland Sports

Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Favored in Road SEGABABA Against Bucks

A lot of people look back at the Thunder’s loss in the NBA Cup Final to the Milwaukee Bucks as an indicator that OKC will not be able to succeed in the postseason. Let’s ignore the fact that OKC wasn’t even healthy at the time. With that in mind, it almost feels like the Thunder might have a little more edge than normal going into this one, and despite some key guys like Jalen Williams and Luguentz Dort likely sitting this one out, I’m taking Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and OKC to win on the road and cover the spread.

Oklahoma City Thunder | NBA Cup Final Preview: Milwaukee Bucks

Zachary LowDecember 17, 2024 No Comments Damian Lillard Giannis Antetokounmpo Isaiah Hartenstein Jalen Williams Luguentz Dort Milwaukee Bucks NBA Cup Oklahoma Sooners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

In just the second year of the NBA’s in-season tournament—the NBA Cup—the Oklahoma City Thunder is set to take on the Milwaukee Bucks in the Final. OKC is a slight favored over the Bucks, who struggled to start the season but have caught fire as of late. The Thunder is no slouch either as they hold the league’s longest acting winning streak at 5 with each of those wins coming by double digits.

Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Favored Over Bucks in NBA Cup Final

Zachary LowDecember 17, 2024 1 Comment Damian Lillard Giannis Antetokounmpo Isaiah Hartenstein Jalen Williams Luguentz Dort Oklahoma Sooners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Milwaukee is arguably the hottest team in the East right now. They have the longest win streak at 3, and they have won 8 of their last 10 and 12 of their last 15. Oklahoma City, however, is the hottest team in the league with 5 straight wins—each by double digits—and 9 in their last 10. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are the best players in this matchup, but the Thunder has a much deeper bench. That will be especially important for two teams playing an extra game in the regular season that doesn’t really count for much more than bragging rights.

Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #81 Preview: Milwaukee Bucks

Zachary LowApril 12, 2024 No Comments Chet Holmgren Damian Lillard Giannis Antetokounmpo Jalen Williams Khris Middleton Milwaukee Bucks Oklahoma Sooners San Antonio Spurs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

With just two games left in the regular season, OKC has confirmed home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Currently at third in the West, there is still a possibility that they could move up to second, which would give them home court in the second round, should they make it that far, and it all starts with a matchup tonight with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Thunder Against the Spread | OKC a Massive Favorite with Bucks Missing Key Players

Zachary LowApril 12, 2024 1 Comment Chet Holmgren Damian Lillard Giannis Antetokounmpo Jalen Williams Milwaukee Bucks Oklahoma Sooners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

I didn’t think the Thunder would cover against a depleted San Antonio squad on Wednesday, and I was about as wrong as a person could be. The Bucks are going to miss Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard at the least, and probably more, but they still have better pieces than the Spurs have by a lot. I do think OKC gets up by a lot early, but in looking to rest starters as much as possible, Milwaukee might be able to keep it close late, just barely covering the giant spread.

Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #70 Preview: Milwaukee Bucks

Zachary LowMarch 24, 2024 No Comments Chet Holmgren Damian Lillard Giannis Antetokounmpo Jalen Williams Khris Middleton Milwaukee Bucks Oklahoma Sooners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

OKC has been on quite a different path than Milwaukee: one of consistent development and growth. The Thunder have enjoyed success from early in the season, and at 49-20, this is the best OKC has been at this point in the season since going 51-18 in the 2013-14 season. With just 13 games remaining, the Thunder still have a chance to finish with the best record in OKC history, which was 60-22 in the 2012-13 season. Regardless of what the final record is, the key for OKC to finish out the season should be to stay healthy and stay in rhythm as they gear up for the playoffs. A big road win against an Eastern Conference contender like the Milwaukee Bucks would do just that and put the league on notice, if they aren’t already.

Oklahoma City Thunder | Preseason Game #4: Milwaukee Bucks

Zachary LowOctober 17, 2023 No Comments Damian Lillard Giannis Antetokounmpo Oklahoma Sooners Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Tonight the Thunder hosts the Milwaukee Bucks in what could make for one of the most exciting matchups of the entire NBA preseason. Damian Lillard has joined Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, and if everybody plays, there will be plenty of talent on the court at any given moment.

Thunder Against the Spread | Expect a Big Win for OKC in Portland

Zachary LowMarch 26, 2023 No Comments Damian Lillard Oklahoma Sooners Portland Trail Blazers Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

OKC must win this game at all costs. Portland is severely depleted, and the Thunder is as close to full-strength as they have been all season. OKC hasn’t been favored by this much in a long time, but I’m anticipating a large margin of victory.

OKC Thunder | Game #75 Preview: Portland Trail Blazers

Zachary LowMarch 26, 2023 No Comments Damian Lillard Luguentz Dort Oklahoma Sooners Portland Trail Blazers Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Oklahoma City Thunder wraps up a 4-game West Coast road trip on Sunday evening as they take on the depleted Portland Trail Blazers. OKC is 1-2 so far on the road trip, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers in a tight one last Tuesday before getting blown out by them on Thursday followed by another tight loss in LA against the Lakers.

Thunder Against the Spread | Take OKC as Road Dogs in Portland

Zachary LowFebruary 10, 2023 No Comments Damian Lillard Luguentz Dort Oklahoma Sooners Portland Trail Blazers Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

I’m not quite sure why OKC is the underdog here. Chalk it up to being on the road, I guess. The Thunder has already defeated the Blazers twice so far, and after yesterday’s crazy trade deadline, the Blazers are probably slightly less prepared for this game than OKC is. I like the Thunder to at least cover the small spread, but if Luguentz Dort is ready to go, then I like OKC to win.