Spurs at Thunder: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com
San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder (-4.5, 207)
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been rolling along, having won 10 in a row to seize the best record in the NBA. The Thunder will face a familiar opponent on Monday when they host the San Antonio Spurs, the team which they defeated during last season's Western Conference finals. The Spurs exacted a small measure of revenge with an 86-84 triumph when the teams met on Nov. 1.
The Thunder, who posted a 113-103 win over Sacramento on Friday, enters the contest with a league-best 105.7 scoring average and 9.3 point differential. San Antonio can also score some points, as it showed when it surpassed 130 on two occasions recently. The Spurs didn't reach that total, but secured a comfortable 103-88 victory over Boston on Saturday.
ABOUT THE SPURS (19-6, 16-8-1 ATS): Tony Parker drained the game-winning 21-footer as time expired when the teams met last month. Tim Duncan had 20 points and eight rebounds, but veteran guard Manu Ginobili missed that contest. As it turns out, Ginobili is doubtful to play on Monday as well. Ginobili suffered a bruised left quad in Saturday's win, prompting coach Gregg Popovich to say on Sunday that "it's hard to believe he'd be ready (for Monday), but I'm not sure."
ABOUT THE THUNDER (19-4, 14-8-1 ATS): Kevin Durant, who scored 31 points on Friday, had a game-high 23 points when Oklahoma City last played San Antonio. The three-time NBA scoring champion is having another brilliant season - with his 27.5 points per game already ahead of his career average. Oklahoma City owns a sparkling 13-2 mark at home, bested only by New York's 10-0 record at Madison Square Garden.
TRENDS:
* Over is 7-1-1 in the last nine meetings in Oklahoma City.
* Favorite is 4-1-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
* Home team is 4-1-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
* Over is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings.
* Spurs are 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings in Oklahoma City.
* Spurs are 0-4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Oklahoma City will look to match its longest winning streak since November 1996, when the franchise won 11 in a row as the Seattle SuperSonics.
2. San Antonio F Stephen Jackson will miss his 15th consecutive game with a finger injury.
3. Thunder G Russell Westbrook has struggled with his shot over the last two games. Westbrook, who is just 8-for-27, started the month by going 36-for-78.
NBA: Streaks, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
Thunder a league best 19-4 (14-8-1 ATS) including 13-2 (9-6 ATS) at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City after dumping Kings 113-103 Friday seek an 11th consecutive victory Monday when they host Spurs (19-6, 16-8-1 ATS). Durant and company netting a league best 105.7 points/game will have to fight to keep its current run going. The Spurs behind six double digit scorers lead by Tony Parker (19.2) are second only to Thunder in putting the ball through the hoop (104.8 PPG) and have played exceptionally well on the defensive end allowing an average of 97.0 points per game to their opponents. San Antonio off a 103-88 thrashing of Celtics are worth a second look. The Spurs 11-4 (10-5 ATS) on the road scoring 105.5 per/game while allowing 99.5 are a solid 11-5 (10-5-1 ATS) away following a win by 15 or more points including 2-0 ATS as road dogs. Spurs also head into Oklahoma City ridding an 8-2 ATS regular season stretch as underdogs of six or less.