NBA: Golden State Warriors vs Thunder Betting Tips

The Golden State Warriors will look to snap out of a slump as they will face one of the hottest teams in the NBA in Oklahoma City Thunder! Warriors won the first match up 108-100 but Westbrook didn’t participate for the Thunder. The tables are turned now as Warriors are the ones without their star PG in Curry. KD vs Russ has delivered in recent meetings and we will hope these two put on a show yet again!

Golden State Warriors

It’s been quite a nightmarish recent two weeks for the Warriors without Steph Curry as they’ve just not been able to get it going. Not only that but there was been chemistry issues between KD and Green and the losing run of games doesn’t help the cause either. KD and Klay have both been scoring big but inefficiently with low shooting percentages and these two will have to step up even more to win here. Warriors will still be without Curry and Cousins of course and it’s also been announced that Draymond Green and rookie McKinnie are ruled out for this game leaving KD and Klay having to carry the load yet again alongside Quinn Cook who has been impressive in Curry’s absence but not as impactful as Steph of course.

Predicted Starting Line-up – A.Iguodala, K.Thompson, K.Durant, J.Jerebko, K.Looney

Injuries – S.Curry, D.Cousins, D.Green. A.McKinnie – OUT

Oklahoma City Thunder

After their 0-4 start, OKC have figured it out and have gone on a strong winning run and have improved to 10-6 and could go above Golden State with a win here. Even with Westbrook injured for some games, the Thunder have been able to pick up wins thanks to some great play by George and co and of course some will say they benefited from a favourable schedule. Thunder have been hit with a slight injury but to their key role players/starters such as Abrines, Noel, Grant, Ferguson. However Noel and Grant are within a shot to play as they’re listed questionable while Ferguson is available. Abrines is likely to be out still and of course Roberson is still nursing a long term injury. Despite these injuries, OKC have a great chance to snatch one on the road against their hated rivals.

Predicted Starting Line-up – R.Westbrook, T.Ferguson, P.George, J.Grant, S.Adams

Injuries – A.Roberson – OUT, A.Abrines – Doubtful, J.Grant, N.Noel – Questionable, T.Ferguson – Available to play

Key Facts

The Warriors are 2-4 in Steph Curry’s absence after starting 10-2 with Curry averaging just 104.8 ppg which is 18 points worse than with Steph.

Warriors have been able to stay dominant at Oracle however with an 8-1 Record.

The Warriors are only 18th in OFF RTG (106.3) since Curry’s injury after being 1st with him at 118.8. They’re also just 29th in Pace in the stretch without Steph (96.66).

Warriors are 18th in DEF RTG this season (108.8) and 18th in ppp allowed at 110.4.

Kevin Durant is averaging 28 ppg in Curry’s absence but is shooting just 42% from the field and 18% from 3.

Quinn Cook is averaging 15.6 ppg as Curry’s replacement in the 6 games.

Warriors are 9-1 against the Thunder in the last 10 regular season meetings at the Oracle.

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have met 7 times and KD leads the H2H 5-2. KD is averaging 32/9/3 while Russ is putting up 31/11/9 in their H2H match ups.

KD has had 5 33+ pt games against Russ and Russ has had 4 34+ pt games against KD. Tend to raise their game.

Durant averages 33.4 ppg against the Thunder at Oracle.

Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the best defensive teams in the league. They are 4th in DEF RTG (103.2) and 6th in PPG allowed (106.2).

Thunder are 14th in OFF RTG (107.7), 12th in PPG scored (111.1) and 9th in Pace (103.06).

Paul George has shown red hot form recently averaging 31.5 ppg in his last 4 games.

Betting Tips and Predictions

This game seems like a mismatch for the Warriors. Thunder are currently better than them in every aspect of the game, this is only based of what’s happening in Curry’s absence. Warriors are playing slow, inefficient offensively and aren’t showing good signs defensively right now whereas OKC have one of the best defenses in the NBA and realistically they could really suffocate the struggling Warriors offense. This game has under written all over it and at 223.5 the total is way too high for us and we’re confident this will be an easy under. Warriors to have a separate under is worth the look if that’s given to you pre game or LIVE. OKC are priced as 1 point underdogs for this game which we’re going to take. They competed hard against the Warriors in the first match up without Russ, now they’re the ones that have their star PG and GS don’t so there is value to back OKC. Player performance wise we can anticipate both KD and Russ to drop 30+ each as they always seem to go hard at it against each other. Our prediction is a 105-95 win for the Thunder.

Match Odds (Unibet)

Golden State Warriors Win – 1.88

Oklahoma City Thunder Win – 1.96

Match Start – 22nd November 2018 – 3:30am UK Time