Pro Hoops on Thursday and we will see the San Antonio Spurs travel to the Chesapeake Energy Arena to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The game is scheduled for a 9:30 pm (Eastern) start time and will be televised on TNT. Currently the Odds for the game have Oklahoma City favored by 7 points while the total sits at 202.5.
Analysis: San Antonio has a 1 1/2-game lead as it arrives in Oklahoma City for Thursday’s contest but the Spurs played Wednesday while the Thunder have been off since Saturday. San Antonio also is beat up with guard Manu Ginobili sidelined, and forwards Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard and point guard Tony Parker all battling ailments. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich saw the contest against Orlando as a good chance to rest Parker due to the looming clash against Oklahoma City star Russell Westbrook. Parker had played in seven straight games since returning from an ankle injury that forced him to miss eight contests. Duncan (knee) returned to action after a one-game absence but played less than 14 minutes. The status of Leonard (knee) is unclear after he missed his second consecutive contest and swingman Stephen Jackson won’t travel to Oklahoma City after hurting his right ankle against the Magic. Center DeJuan Blair hopes to return after missing the Orlando game with a stomach virus. Ginobili (hamstring) won’t play again in the regular season.
The Thunder won four of five games before the lengthy rest that was certainly well-timed. Oklahoma City is 32-5 at home and would love to wrestle homecourt advantage away from the Spurs. Forward Serge Ibaka was a huge difference-maker in Saturday’s victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Ibaka blocked a season-high eight shots and also scored 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting. “Serge Ibaka did a phenomenal job protecting the basket and blocking and altering their shots,” Brooks said afterward. Ibaka has played well against San Antonio this season, averaging 14 points, 14 rebounds and 2.7 rejections. Forward Kevin Durant is averaging 22.7 points and 8.7 rebounds against the Spurs and Westbrook is averaging 21.7 points and 6.7 assists but shooting just 34.8 percent in the three games. Durant is 28-of-29 from the free-throw line over the past three games. Westbrook had 23 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists against the Bucks for his first triple-double of the campaign.
Pick: Gonna use a theory that I like for the NBA and that's that the big games seem to trend to the Under. Theses teams have met 3 times this year and 170. 200 and 198 points were scored in those games. Oklahoma City is know for thier offense, but their defense is very underrated. The Thunder come in having allowed just 90.7 ppg in their last 6 games, while in their home games this year they have given up just 94.9 ppg. Yes this team knows how to play some defense. On the other side we have another team that all brings the defense when they take the court. The Spurs are 9th in points allowed and 8th in defensive FG%. They have allowed 93.8 ppg in their last 8 games and that includes allowing 88 to Miami, 96 at Houston and 93 to Golden State. Both teams have also been average at best on offenses of late as the Thunder have averaged just 99 ppg in their last 6 games, while the Spurs have put up just 95.6 ppg in their last 5 games. Big games bring defensive intesity and that has me expecting no more than 195 points in this one.
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NBA Free Picks: San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder (Best Bet)
What pro basketball bettors need to know about San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma State on Thursday (4/04/13) - a best bet from Pregame.com's Steve Fezzik with Vegas Runner.