OKC has been favored in every game that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has played (and then some), but none by this many points. The Wizards have one of the deepest injury reports in the league, and they’ve been eliminated from playoff contention. OKC is so close to full health, and I think this game is going to be similar to the result in Brooklyn on Wednesday, so I’m taking the Thunder to win big.
It’s been just a little over a week since Luguentz Dort tripped Nikola Jokic, and all hell nearly broke loose as the Oklahoma City Thunder held on to defeat the Denver Nuggets 127-101 in overtime. These two teams are extremely familiar with one another at this point, and the bad blood that exists is enough to fuel any basketball fan’s desire for fireworks. On Monday night, they do battle once again in Oklahoma City.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #66 Preview: Denver Nuggets
Tonight, OKC takes on Detroit in the second game of a back-to-back against the freshly rested Pistons. Both teams are tied in the loss column for the fewest defeats in the NBA, but OKC holds 3 more wins over Detroit. Also, the Pistons enter this game completely healthy, whereas the Thunder is missing four starters on top of other key players.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #60 Preview: Detroit Pistons
The Pistons are one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now, and it probably helps that they’re healthy. The Thunder being an underdog for a third-straight game was not on my bingo card at any point this season, and while I’m not sure OKC can pull off a win in Detroit, I do think they end up covering the spread. This depleted version of the Thunder has played hard lately, and I don’t think they’re going to let up tonight, even if it is the second game of a back-to-back.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Heads Into Detroit As Heavy Road Dog
The Oklahoma City Thunder continue the portion of their season playing without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Tuesday night as they take on the Raptors.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #59 Preview: Toronto Raptors
OKC’s injury report is once again the reason that the Thunder is an underdog, but they’re still capable of finding ways to win. The Raptors haven’t been challenged by a tough team lately, while OKC has had some pretty stiff competition, so I like the Thunder to leave Toronto with a win.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Takes on the Raptors in Toronto as a Road Dog
OKC has a couple of additions to the injury report after the Golden State game, with Cason Wallace and Isaiah Joe both listed as questionable with knee soreness. The potential absence of Wallace changes the game a bit because Phoenix has two quality scoring guards in Devin Booker (24.7 PPG) and Dillon Brooks (21.4 PPG). Still, the Thunder’s team defense has been especially dominant lately, and I think that carries over into this one.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Headed To Phoenix With a Long Injury Report
The Thunder has a quick turnaround as they host the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night. OKC saw Isaiah Hartenstein, Isaiah Joe, and Ajay Mitchell all leave in the second half on Sunday, so the Thunder could be without them. However, Atlanta is dealing with health issues of their own. Kristaps Porzingis and Jalen Johnson are out due to illness, and Trae Young is questionable with a quad contusion.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #33 Preview: Atlanta Hawks
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
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