Expect a defensive battle when the San Antonio Spurs (9-6) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (7-7) face off at AT&T Center. Oklahoma City opened as a 1-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 198.5 points. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Friday, November 17, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPN.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs Free Preview
The Thunder defeated the Chicago Bulls in their last contest, 92-79. With 18 points and 11 rebounds, Oklahoma Citys Carmelo Anthony had a good game. Oklahoma City played a nearly flawless game. They had a ridiculous free throw rate of 0.444 (above their season average of 0.184) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.6 (above their season average of 24.2). For those same stats, Chicago was 0.213 and 14.0, respectively.
In the Spurs last matchup, they were beaten by the Minnesota Timberwolves, 98-86. LaMarcus Aldridge was San Antonios leading scorer with 15 points on 5-for-14 shooting. Minnesota had a turnover percentage of 6.0 (better than their season average of 13.6). San Antonio, meanwhile, did an excellent job of making free throws (13-15; 86.7 percent).
Points could be at a premium in this battle between two of the leagues top defenses. San Antonio ranks fifth in defensive efficiency (101.8) and Oklahoma City is second (98.6).
Both of these teams have a tendency to go under the projected point total. Games involving Oklahoma City have gone under 71.4 percent of the time, while San Antonio games have gone under 60.0 percent of the time. The Spurs have the sizable advantage straight up (SU) (9-6 vs. 7-7) and a narrow edge against the spread (ATS) (7-7-1 vs. 6-7-1).
This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Spurs won two out of three contests played against each other last season. In the last matchup, San Antonio won 100-95. The Spurs 11.8 turnover percentage was their largest advantage over the Thunder, who had a rate of 16.2.
Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Spurs, ATS Winner – Spurs, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Thunder rank third in points allowed in the paint per game (38.4) while the Spurs rank 16th (44.0).
- Oklahoma City ranks fourth in assists allowed per game (20.0) while San Antonio ranks 13th (21.8).
- Oklahoma City averages 13.2 fast break points per game, which ranks sixth in the league. San Antonio ranks 19th in fast break points allowed per game (11.1).
- San Antonio ranks fifth in rebounds allowed per game (41.7) while Oklahoma City ranks 12th (42.9).
- Oklahoma City is 2-5 ATS on the road with 6 unders and 1 over.
- At home, San Antonio is 6-2 ATS with 4 overs and 4 unders.
- Oklahoma City is 6-2 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while San Antonio is 6-3.
- When reaching the century mark, the Spurs are 7-0 and the Thunder are 6-2.
- The Thunder rank fourth in blocks allowed per game (4.0) while the Spurs rank 13th (4.7).
- Oklahoma City ranks fifth in three pointers attempted per game (31.6) while San Antonio ranks 25th (23.7).
- The Thunder rank first in steals per game (10.4) while the Spurs rank 19th (7.7).
- The Spurs rank second in second chance points allowed per game (8.8) while the Thunder rank 10th (11.4).
- Oklahoma City ranks first in points off turnovers per game (21.2) while San Antonio ranks 18th (16.5).
Bettings Trends:
- San Antonio is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Oklahoma City is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Spurs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.8, up from 2.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 100.8 points per game (2.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 97.0 points per game (0.1 below their season average).
