Arguably no team in the NBA is better positioned for success the rest of this decade than the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Raptors get their first look at them this season Sunday in OKC.

The Thunder opened as 8.5-point favourites to win on the NBA odds.

Raptors vs. Thunder NBA Betting Odds

Tanking doesn’t always work in the NBA, but the Oklahoma City appeared to do it perfectly in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons in terms of drafting the right players as now they are legitimate title contenders despite having a very young roster.

While Toronto native Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the clear-cut superstar on the team, third in the league in scoring and an MVP candidate, the 2022 draft really set this team on a championship path going forward as Oklahoma City took Chet Holmgren at No. 2 overall and Jalen Williams at No. 12, and they are two of the better young players in the Western Conference – although Williams is banged up currently. Holmgren didn’t play his first season due to injury but has been spectacular this season and is pushing generational prospect Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs for Rookie of the Year honours. Those two duelling going forward is going to be a stellar rivalry – and they don’t like each other to add to the spice.

OKC has so much good young talent and so many future first-round picks in its pocket that the franchise is set up better than any club in the NBA by far to make a blockbuster trade if such a player comes available. Frankly, the team is going to have to trade a few players or some of those picks eventually as there are only so many roster spots. The Thunder probably aren’t ready to win a title this season with so much playoff inexperience but can win a round or two out West. Look out next season.

These teams split last season, each winning at home. In fact, they have split five consecutive series. The Thunder lead 17-12 all-time in the Oklahoma City era and 8-7 at home.

Toronto Raptors

Toronto got back Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl from injury absences on Friday in Houston but still was no match for the Rockets in a 135-106 loss. Quickley looked good with 25 points and six assists; he also has scored at least 20 in two of this past three against Oklahoma City during his days with the Knicks. Poeltl had only six points in 20 minutes, and the Dinos were outscored by 17 points with him on the court. RJ Barrett was out again due to an injury and is questionable today. Backup big man Jontay Porter is out. Scottie Barnes led all players with 28 points Friday, his career-high 30th 20-point game of the season and fourth in the past five. He also became just the second player in NBA history (Kevin Durant in 2017-18) to record at least 275 assists, 75 three-point field goals and 70 blocks prior to the All-Star break in any season. Toronto is now 1-17 this season when scoring fewer than 110 points. It is 2-5 ATS in the past seven games.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City won its second game in a row Friday, 126-106 over Charlotte behind 31 points, nine assists, five steals and three blocks from All-Star and MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Toronto native leads the NBA in steals per game at 2.3 and has scored at least 30 points in nine straight games. SGA is on pace to become only the third player in NBA history to average at least 30 points and two steals while shooting 50 per cent or better from the field along with Stephen Curry and Michael Jordan. OKC played without forward Jalen Williams, out with a sprained right ankle, and guard Isaiah Joe, sidelined with a bruised sternum. Williams is the team’s No. 2 scorer and Joe leads the Thunder in three-pointers. Both are out Sunday. Reserve guard Tre Mann is questionable. OKC is 9-1 in its past 10 at home.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Raptors vs. Thunder?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Raptors Team Leaders

TOR

Points	RJ Barrett 21.75
Assists	Immanuel Quickley 6.76
Rebounds	Jakob Poeltl 8.58
FG%	Jakob Poeltl 65.6
Steals	Kobi Simmons 1.5
Blocks	Mouhamadou Gueye 1.64

OKC

Points	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30.05
Assists	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 6.2
Rebounds	Chet Holmgren 7.9
FG%	Bismack Biyombo 58.3
Steals	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 2
Blocks	Chet Holmgren 2.32

TOR

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

OKC

Points	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30.2
Assists	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 6.4
Rebounds	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 7.2
FG%	Ousmane Dieng 50
Steals	Jalen Williams 1.7
Blocks	Chet Holmgren 2.5

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Thunder Team Leaders

TOR

Points	RJ Barrett 21.75
Assists	Immanuel Quickley 6.76
Rebounds	Jakob Poeltl 8.58
FG%	Jakob Poeltl 65.6
Steals	Kobi Simmons 1.5
Blocks	Mouhamadou Gueye 1.64

OKC

Points	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30.05
Assists	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 6.2
Rebounds	Chet Holmgren 7.9
FG%	Bismack Biyombo 58.3
Steals	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 2
Blocks	Chet Holmgren 2.32

TOR

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

OKC

Points	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30.2
Assists	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 6.4
Rebounds	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 7.2
FG%	Ousmane Dieng 50
Steals	Jalen Williams 1.7
Blocks	Chet Holmgren 2.5

Injuries

Toronto

RJ Barrett (SF)

Out Sun Knee - 14 / 04 / 24

Mouhamadou Gueye (PF)

Out Sun Thumb - 13 / 04 / 24

Immanuel Quickley (SG)

Out Sun Hip - 13 / 04 / 24

Gary Trent Jr. (SG)

Ques Fri Back - 10 / 04 / 24

RJ Barrett (SF)

Out Wed Rest - 10 / 04 / 24

Bruce Brown (PG)

Ques Fri Knee - 10 / 04 / 24

Jordan Nwora (PF)

Prob Wed Undisclosed - 10 / 04 / 24

Kelly Olynyk (PF)

Out Wed Rest - 10 / 04 / 24

Immanuel Quickley (SG)

Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 24

Gradey Dick (SG)

Prob Wed Groin - 07 / 04 / 24

Oklahoma City

Josh Giddey (SG)

Prob Sun Hip - 12 / 04 / 24

Luguentz Dort (SG)

Out Wed Rest - 10 / 04 / 24

Jaylin Williams (PF)

Prob Wed Back - 10 / 04 / 24

Isaiah Joe (PG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 06 / 04 / 24

Gordon Hayward (SF)

Prob Wed Leg - 05 / 04 / 24

Luguentz Dort (SG)

Prob Tues Nose - 24 / 03 / 24

Bismack Biyombo (C)

Prob Fri Undisclosed - 06 / 03 / 24

Jaylin Williams (PF)

Prob Fri Knee - 01 / 03 / 24

Gordon Hayward (SF)

Prob Thurs Calf - 11 / 02 / 24

Lindy Waters III (SF)

Ques Tues Ankle - 06 / 02 / 24

Injuries

Toronto

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
RJ Barrett (SF)	Out Sun	Knee - 14 / 04 / 24	0-1	1-0	+ -
Barrett is bothered by knee soreness, and he will not battle the Heat on Sunday.
Mouhamadou Gueye (PF)	Out Sun	Thumb - 13 / 04 / 24	0-1	1-0	+ -
Gueye is hampered by a right thumb sprain, and he will not take on the Heat in Sunday's showdown.
Immanuel Quickley (SG)	Out Sun	Hip - 13 / 04 / 24	0-1	1-0	+ -
Quickley is laid up with a left adductor strain, and he will not participate in Sunday's tilt against the Heat.
Gary Trent Jr. (SG)	Ques Fri	Back - 10 / 04 / 24	1-2	2-1	+ -
Trent Jr. was held out of the last contest due to back spasms, and it is undetermined if he will take on the Heat on Friday.
RJ Barrett (SF)	Out Wed	Rest - 10 / 04 / 24	1-2	2-1	+ -
Barrett will not partake in Wednesday's showdown versus the Nets as he will be given a day of rest.
Bruce Brown (PG)	Ques Fri	Knee - 10 / 04 / 24	1-2	2-1	+ -
Brown sat out the previous game with right knee inflammation, and it is unknown if he will face the Heat on Friday.
Jordan Nwora (PF)	Prob Wed	Undisclosed - 10 / 04 / 24	1-2	2-1	+ -
Nwora exited the previous game with an undefined issue, but it is projected that he will dress for Wednesday's matchup with the Nets.
Kelly Olynyk (PF)	Out Wed	Rest - 10 / 04 / 24	1-2	2-1	+ -
Olynyk will not be available for Wednesday's clash with the Nets as he will receive a day of rest.
Immanuel Quickley (SG)	Out Tues	Rest - 08 / 04 / 24	2-2	3-1	+ -
Quickley will not be active for Tuesday's clash with the Pacers as he will be given a day of rest.
Gradey Dick (SG)	Prob Wed	Groin - 07 / 04 / 24	3-2	3-2	+ -
Dick missed the last game with a right groin contusion, but it is projected that he will line up against the Nets on Wednesday.

Oklahoma City

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Josh Giddey (SG)	Prob Sun	Hip - 12 / 04 / 24	8-4	3-9	+ -
Giddey missed the previous contest with a right hip contusion, but it is forecasted that he will suit up Sunday against the Mavericks.
Luguentz Dort (SG)	Out Wed	Rest - 10 / 04 / 24	9-4	3-10	+ -
Dort will not play against the Spurs on Wednesday as he will receive a day of rest.
Jaylin Williams (PF)	Prob Wed	Back - 10 / 04 / 24	9-4	3-10	+ -
Williams has a lower-back contusion, but it is likely that he will dress for Wednesday's matchup with the Spurs.
Isaiah Joe (PG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 06 / 04 / 24	9-6	5-10	+ -
Joe is expected to be in Sunday's lineup versus the Hornets despite a right ankle sprain.
Gordon Hayward (SF)	Prob Wed	Leg - 05 / 04 / 24	9-7	6-10	+ -
Hayward has missed the last two contests with left leg soreness, but it is expected that he will face the Spurs on Wednesday.
Luguentz Dort (SG)	Prob Tues	Nose - 24 / 03 / 24	12-11	10-13	+ -
Dort was removed from the previous game with a nasal contusion, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Tuesday's matchup with the Pelicans.
Bismack Biyombo (C)	Prob Fri	Undisclosed - 06 / 03 / 24	13-18	13-18	+ -
Biyombo exited the last game with an unknown issue, but it is not expected to affect his status for Friday's clash against the Heat.
Jaylin Williams (PF)	Prob Fri	Knee - 01 / 03 / 24	15-19	14-20	+ -
Williams has been absent the previous two matchups due to a left knee sprain, but it is likely that he will play Friday against the Heat.
Gordon Hayward (SF)	Prob Thurs	Calf - 11 / 02 / 24	20-20	19-20-1	+ -
Hayward has missed the previous two games due to left calf strain, but it is likely that he will suit up Thursday versus the Clippers.
Lindy Waters III (SF)	Ques Tues	Ankle - 06 / 02 / 24	20-22	21-20-1	+ -
Waters III is hampered by a left ankle strain, and it has yet to be determined if he will play the Jazz on Tuesday.