San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 1 Prediction, NBA Western Conference Final Odds
The Western Conference Finals everyone was hoping for is finally here. Top-seeded and defending NBA champion Oklahoma City hosts second-seeded San Antonio in Game 1 Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
The Thunder steamrolled through the first two rounds of the postseason, sweeping the Phoenix Suns and then the Los Angeles Lakers, winning six of the eight games by double digits, including all four played at home. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was just named the league’s MVP for the second straight season, leads OKC with 29.1 points and 7.1 assists per game.
They’ll take on a Spurs squad that took four of five from them during the regular season. San Antonio defeated Portland in five games before the Minnesota Timberwolves took it to six in the second round. Victor Wembanyama leads the Spurs with 20.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 4.1 blocks this postseason.
Spurs vs. Thunder NBA Betting Odds
The Thunder, which have won by an average of 16 points in their four home playoff games, are 6.5-point favourites to win Game 1 on the NBA odds. Oklahoma City is -240 on the moneyline, while the Spurs are +195. San Antonio went 4-1 straight up and against the spread against the Thunder this season. That includes a 1-1 ATS mark in OKC, where the Thunder are now 38-7. The Spurs have won 12 of their last 14 road contests overall.
The Over/Under sits at 221.5 points. San Antonio has played to the Over in each of its last five games, while Oklahoma City has played to the Over in six of its last seven contests.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs will come into the series with loads of confidence after their performance against OKC in the regular season.
In addition to Wembanyama, Stephon Castle (19.9 PPG, 6.1 AST., 4.9 REB.) and De’Aaron Fox (18.8 PPG, 5.8 AST) have been getting the job done on the court in the playoffs. Rookie Dylan Harper is showing his comfort level in this environment with 13.7 points and 5.1 rebounds off the bench.
Fox is listed as questionable with right ankle soreness. Even if they have to watch his minutes, the Spurs want Fox out on that court. Reserve Luke Kornet, who is also questionable with left soreness, is the only potential player with an injury question.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The defending champs have been off for a week since they clinched the series with the Lakers, thanks to a 115-110 triumph in Game 4 in Los Angeles last Monday. The big news for the Thunder is the return of Jalen Williams, who finished tied for second with Chet Holmgren in scoring during the regular season with 17.1 points per game.
Williams only played 33 games in the regular season, and he has only suited up for two through two rounds of the playoffs. In his stead, Ajay Mitchell has exploded, averaging 18.8 points, including 22.5 points per game in the Lakers series, and 4.9 assists. Holmgren has been steady, averaging 18.6 points and 9.1 rebounds.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Spurs vs. Thunder Game 1?
Will Oklahoma City be fresher with a week’s rest, and will the Spurs be crisper after playing on Friday?
It is so tempting to take San Antonio here, but look for the Thunder to win a tight battle to open this series, 119-114.
SA
OKC