The Oklahoma City Thunder (5-2) ended a two-game skid on Monday with a road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers (4-3). Now the teams meet again, but this time in OKC.
Tag: Jaylin WIlliams
Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Favored as Alex Caruso Returns to Help Thunder in Matchup with Cavs
OKC beat Cleveland 117-112 on Monday, but I’m not sure how much that matters for tonight. The matchup will be extremely similar, except OKC has Alex Caruso back from injury, and Jaylin Williams might be out with some lower back spasms. Oh, and the Thunder have Loud City at their backs. I didn’t think the Thunder would beat the Cavs in Cleveland on Monday, but I definitely think OKC gets the win tonight and covers the spread.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Favored as Alex Caruso Returns to Help Thunder in Matchup with Cavs
Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Heads to Cleveland as a Small Underdog
OKC has looked pretty awful the last couple of games, and it might be a little while before they find a groove. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hasn’t looked particularly great, either, and this team is going to go as far as he can take them. I think SGA starts to impose his will more often, but the Cavaliers look a lot better than the Thunder right now. I think OKC can keep this one interesting and hopefully not get blown out for the third straight time, but I still like Cleveland to cover the small spread.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Heads to Cleveland as a Small Underdog
Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #4 Preview: Phoenix Suns
The Oklahoma City Thunder (3-0) hosts the Phoenix Suns (1-1) on Monday for the second game of a back-to-back. OKC is still working through the emotions of losing Jalen Williams to a horrific lower-left leg injury that will likely cause him to miss extended time, if not the rest of the season. Cason Wallace and Jaylin Williams also did not return in the second half after playing just five minutes each in the first half before getting hurt. Still, the Thunder are no strangers to playing with injuries.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #4 Preview: Phoenix Suns
Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Favored by Nearly Double Digits in SEGABABA Against Suns
OKC is still reeling from the Jalen Williams injury last night against the Clippers, and now they have to turn around and play another game. That’s not an easy task, especially when you could tell how the guys were dealing with it emotionally. Still, injuries are not uncommon around this group, and while I’m sure they will respond just fine, the Suns had some rest yesterday. If Cason Wallace is out also, slowing down Devin Booker becomes a lot more difficult, and all of a sudden, this game is closer than it should be. I think Phoenix is going to keep it close.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Favored by Nearly Double Digits in SEGABABA Against Suns
Oklahoma City Thunder | Western Conference Finals Game 4 Preview: San Antonio Spurs
“Game 4 is an important game” is a severe understatement. Either way, the Thunder is heading back to OKC with homecourt advantage, so the pressure is definitely less than if they had given away Game 3 to the Spurs. Still, you don’t want to let your opponent gain any momentum in this series, and if San Antonio were to win big to tie up the series, they would likely be feeling pretty good about themselves. On the flip side, San Antonio should be feeling all the pressure in the world to win this one. Going down 3-1 before heading back to the loudest arena in the NBA would not be good news for the Spurs.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Western Conference Finals Game 4 Preview: San Antonio Spurs
Thunder Against the Spread | Spurs Favored Over Thunder in San Antonio for WCF Game 4
Oklahoma City was an underdog in Game 3, but they proved why championship experience so often beats out youthful talent. Despite going down 15-0 right out of the gate, the Thunder fought back—little by little—to win by 15. With a 2-1 lead, Game 4 is leaning heavily on the Spurs in terms of pressure, whereas OKC is probably feeling pretty good. San Antonio SHOULD win this game in terms of a typical NBA Playoff narrative, but I think the Thunder—even with missing key players—have far too much depth and resolution to let one go easily. I expect a close game, and while I do expect OKC to win, even if the Spurs do pull it out, it won’t be by more than 2 points.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | Spurs Favored Over Thunder in San Antonio for WCF Game 4
Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #60 Preview: Detroit Pistons
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
Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Slightly Favored in Memphis With Both Teams Missing Guys
I think OKC’s speed will allow the Thunder to play at a pace that they prefer, and what they lack in rebounding, they should be able to make up for in backcourt and perimeter defense, so I’m taking OKC to cover.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Slightly Favored in Memphis With Both Teams Missing Guys
Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Heavily Favored at Home Against Grizzlies Despite Long Injury List
Both teams are missing a lot of key players, but OKC still has the reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. That alone should give Thunder fans confidence in the game, but with Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams all out, OKC is without any of their primary bigs. Jaren Jackson could be a problem for OKC, but the Thunder has fared well in recent history when going small. With the Thunder’s backcourt depth, I feel pretty good about OKC’s chances to speed the game up, forcing turnovers, and turning defense into offense.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Heavily Favored at Home Against Grizzlies Despite Long Injury List