Oklahoma City Thunder host the 1st seeded, two time defending champions Golden State Warriors in a very anticipated match up between two of the best of the West!
Oklahoma City Thunder
OKC are currently 5th seeded at 42-27, however they haven’t played too well the past few weeks with their poor play having won just 4 of their last 11 games. However, this drop in form can be accounted to the fact that Paul George got hurt and missed a few games and only just now started to find his groove again with a couple of impressive games this week therefore it’s expected that the Thunder will return back to playing great basketball in short time. Russell Westbrook has been playing fantastic in this recent stretch going back to his normal 30 point averages since the all-star break, he normally plays very well against Golden State therefore we can expect another explosive scoring performance from Russ. The Thunder are currently coming off a very frustrating loss in Indiana on Thursday where they blew a 19 point lead and lost to a Wes Matthews game winner so they’ll look to bounce back. Thunder have been a solid home team this season with a 23-9 record at Energy Chesapeake Arena (won 9 of last 11) and expect the home crowd to really be on it in this match up against the hated Warriors. Health wise, OKC don’t any issues other than Andre Roberson who hasn’t suited up all season so it is basically a fully healthy OKC team.
Injury Report
Andre Roberson – OUT
Golden State Warriors
Warriors are currently still the 1st seeded team at 46-21, but just like OKC are not playing too well (5-6 in last 11), but are starting to find their groove again. Despite the struggles the past month, the Warriors did snap a Rockets 9 game win streak on Wednesday by beating them for the first time this season 106-104, on the road as well and playing without Kevin Durant who by the way is very unlikely to play against his former team and will likely sit out. Klay Thompson has been playing great basketball for Golden State since his return scoring 39, 28 and 30 in his 3 games back. Steph Curry has been a little off though recently only putting up 22 ppg on 40% in his last 5 so look for him to go off eventually, could be tonight since KD is probably out. The Warriors, even with Kevin Durant potentially out they still are an extremely dangerous team as shown on Wednesday and have others than can step it up there’s a reason Klay, Curry, Draymond and Cousins are all stars. Warriors have been the best team on the road in the West with a 22-11 record and have played better against the elite teams on the road than at home already winning in Boston, Houston, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, Denver, Portland this season. There’s just something about Golden State making statement wins on the road this season and don’t be surprised if they go and make another one in Oklahoma, especially after being wiped out by them by 28 points in the last meeting at Oracle (95-123). Health wise, other than KD and of course Damian Jones who has been out for months everyone should be available.
Injury Report
Kevin Durant – Doubtful to Play
Damian Jones – OUT
Betting Stats
Totals
Thunder have covered 56.2% of their total point overs at home this season (18-1-13). The total for this game is 230.5 points. OKC haven’t had this point total at home before, but have had a 231 point total and a 231.5 point total before. Their 231 point total was a void against Portland in a 120-111 win while their 231.5 point total was an Under against Brooklyn in a 108-96 win. Despite a great overs percentage, OKC have had 4 consecutive unders entering this game.
Warriors have covered 60.6% of their total point overs on the road this season (20-13). They’ve not had a 230.5 point total either, but have had a 231 point total on the road once against Boston which resulted with an Under in a 115-111 win. They also had a 231.5 point total in Phoenix which also ended with an under in a 117-107 win.
Handicaps
Thunder have covered 53.1% of their Handicaps at home this season (17-1-14). They’re tipped as 1.5 point favourites in this game. They haven’t had a -1.5 Handicap at home this season, but the closest that they’ve had to that was a -2 Handicap against the Bucks which they covered winning the game 118-112.
Warriors have covered 45.4% of their Handicaps on the road this season (15-18). They’ve not had a +1.5 Handicap, but the closest that they’ve had to that was a +2 Handicap in Milwaukee which they covered in a 105-95 win. Warriors are 3-2 at covering Handicaps as road underdogs this season.
Recent H2H in Oklahoma
OKC and Golden State haven’t met in Oklahoma yet this season with both meetings being at Oracle which the teams split. In Oklahoma meanwhile, Golden State have been able to pick up road wins consistently lately winning in 4 of their last 5 visits.
Most recent meeting in Oklahoma was won by Golden State last April when they defeated the Thunder 111-107. In that match up, the Warriors covered a +3.5 Handicap while total 221.5 points resulted with an Under as the teams totalled 218 points.
TIP OFF – 17th March 2019 – 12:30am UK Time
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