The Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs have been at each other’s throats for a couple of weeks now, and now the moment that every sports fan loves has finally arrived: Game 7.
Tag: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Slightly Favored at Home Over Spurs in Game 7 of Western Conference Finals
No game in this series has been decided by fewer than 7 points, but that doesn’t mean this one will follow suit. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still looking for a good game by his own standards, and Victor Wembanyama is as focused as he ever has been. I think they both play well, but the real needle-mover in this series has been bench play. OKC’s backups have played extremely well at home, and I see them doing that tonight. I expect a tight game that comes down to the final minutes, with the Spurs fouling the Thunder for some late free throws to cover the spread.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Slightly Favored at Home Over Spurs in Game 7 of Western Conference Finals
Oklahoma City Thunder | Western Conference Finals Game 6 Preview: San Antonio Spurs
After taking a 3-2 series lead with a dominant win in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder has a chance to earn a second straight trip to the NBA Finals as they take on the San Antonio Spurs on the road in Game 6. The Thunder’s defense has been good, if not great, for most of the series, but the offense has been questionable at times. That was not the case in Game 5 as they shot 48.2% from the field—their highest in the Western Conference Finals so far—and 43.8% from downtown—just below their best in the series.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Western Conference Finals Game 6 Preview: San Antonio Spurs
Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Looks to Close Out Spurs in Game 6 in San Antonio as Underdog
OKC has a chance to close out the series against the Spurs, and even though Game 6 is in San Antonio, I’m not so sure the Thunder should be the underdog in this one. After a rough outing in Game 4, the Thunder answered in Game 5 with an impressive performance on both ends of the floor. Once again, the narrative is focused on officiating, but in a closeout game, poise and experience are sure to play an important role. Both teams have made adjustments game by game to get a leg up, but at this point, they know each other pretty well. OKC is still the deeper team, even if Jalen Williams continues to sit with a strained hamstring, and I think that will give the Thunder what they need to finish this one out, so I’m not only taking OKC to cover but to win.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Looks to Close Out Spurs in Game 6 in San Antonio as Underdog
Oklahoma City Thunder | Western Conference Finals Game 5 Preview: San Antonio Spurs
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.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Western Conference Finals Game 5 Preview: San Antonio Spurs
Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Favored at Home Over Spurs for Critical Game 5
OKC is still without Ajay Mitchell and likely still without Jalen Wiliams, but playing down a couple of key players is nothing new to this squad. The winner of this game is likely to end up winning the series, so expect another dogfight. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played pretty poorly in Game 4, but the Thunder bench was about as awful as they could be following a historic Game 3. I expect SGA to look more like the reigning back-to-back MVP, and the bench to be much more relaxed playing at home. Victor Wembanyama has been tough to slow down, so what better time for Chet Holmgren to offer a solid contribution? I like the Thunder to win and cover this small spread.
View More Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Favored at Home Over Spurs for Critical Game 5
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 | Western Conference Finals Game 3 Preview: San Antonio Spurs
Wemby had a monster stat line in Game 1, and SGA looked like the reigning MVP in Game 2. Either one—or both—could have another big night in Game 3, but as the series goes longer, the team with the better “other guys” is going to have a much better chance at pulling out the win. OKC is about as deep as they come, but San Antonio has its fair share of depth.
View More Oklahoma City Thunder | Western Conference Finals Game 3 Preview: San Antonio Spurs
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