Oklahoma City Thunder vs Golden State Warriors: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds (4/4/23)
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The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Golden State Warriors in a big Western Conference matchup. The Thunder have lost two in a row, with the last one at home against the Suns, while the Warriors are coming off a close road loss to the Nuggets. My prediction is that Golden State covers the 8-point spread. The Warriors have been great at home and will be more motivated at home than the Thunder on the road. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors Prediction
The Pick: Golden State Warriors -8
The Golden State Warriors need to get some momentum going before the playoffs and they’re primed to do it.
This team still goes as Steph Curry goes. He leads the team in scoring at 29.5 PPG and in three-point shooting at 42.5% per game. Klay Thompson is up next in production and averages 22 PPG and is behind Steph Curry at 40.7% from three-point range. The splash brothers still can light it up and have shown that this year. Jordan Poole has been great this year too and he averages 20.5 PPG, while Jonathan Kuminga has stepped up with Andrew Wiggins out. Kuminga averages 10 PPG this season too.
The Warriors have been great this year on offense. They’re third in the NBA in scoring at 118.2 and have been very good at rebounding. They’re 10th in rebounding at 44.3 per game.
On the other side, the Thunder have been playing well and are on the verge of getting into the play-in tournament.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the best player for the Thunder this season. He leads the team in scoring at 31.5 PPG, in steals at 1.7 per game, and is tied for the lead in blocks at 1 per game. He doesn’t do it on his own and Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, and Luguentz Dort are a very good supporting cast. Giddey averages 17 PPG and leads the team in rebounds at 8 per game and in assists at 6 per game. Williams and Dort both average 14 PPG and 1 steal per game this season, and have provided much-needed help off the perimeter for the Thunder.
The Thunder standout on offense the most this year. They’re 5th in the NBA in scoring at 117.5 PPG, while also being 13th in rebounding at 43.6 per game.
The Warriors are still lethal from three-point range this year and are still the defending champions. Their in a great position in this game and should win and cover despite the Thunder playing well recently. Both teams need this game, but expect the Warriors to pull away and cover late.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors Betting Odds
The Golden State Warriors are 8-point home favorites against the Oklahoma City Thunder and are at -325 on the money line. There’s no over/under listed just yet, but it should be high because each team is in the top-5 of the NBA in scoring offense. This spread makes sense because the Warriors are at home and are almost unbeatable at home this season. This spread could change too depending on if Andrew Wiggins comes back for the Warriors this early.
Betting Trends
Thunder are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.
Warriors are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Key Matchups
Can Luguentz Dort matchup with Steph Curry? Can Jordan Poole matchup with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?
Stephen Curry vs. Luguentz Dort
Steph Curry is still this team’s main leader. He averages 29.5 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds per game. He’ll be matched up against Lu Dort most of the game, who averages 14 points, 2 assists, and 5 rebounds per game. Dort is a very good defender, but Curry can be almost unstoppable at home, and he’s the biggest single player to bet on why the Warriors will cover the 8-point spread.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Jordan Poole
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has carried the Thunder at times this season. He averages 31.5 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds per game. He’ll be matched up against Jordan Poole most of the game, who averages 20.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 3 rebounds per game. Poole is very streaky and can be almost unstoppable when he gets hot, but Alexander is more consistent. The Warriors should still cover the 8-point spread, even though Alexander is a matchup nightmare.
Oklahoma City Thunder Starting Lineup
PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SG: Josh Giddey
SF: Luguentz Dort
PF: Jalen Williams
C: Jaylin Williams
Golden State Warriors Starting Lineups
PG: Stephen Curry
SG: Jordan Poole
SF: Klay Thompson
PF: Draymond Green
C: Kevon Looney
Key Injuries
Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries: PF Kenrich Williams (Wrist) O
Golden State Warriors Injuries: SF Andre Iguodala (Wrist) O, SF Andrew Wiggins (Personal) O
