Thunder vs. Raptors Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
The NBA odds will depend on how many players on both sides sit – and it could be many.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The main goal for the Thunder the rest of the season is to try and finish with one of the NBA’s three-worst records and earn the best per centage chance at winning the draft lottery. The three-worst teams all have a 14 per cent shot. In that regard, Oklahoma City has essentially shut down some guys. While star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is actually hurt, veteran and former All-Star Al Horford is not, but he will not take the court again this year or probably ever for the Thunder again. It’s a very anonymous roster full of young players right now.
One of Toronto’s worst losses this season was on March 31 in Oklahoma City, 113-103. The Raptors were outscored by 12 in the fourth quarter. Svi Mykhailiuk scored 10 of his season-high 22 points in a key fourth quarter stretch to lead OKC. Moses Brown had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Isaiah Roby added 17 points and 10 rebounds as the Thunder trashed the Dinos on the boards 64-35.
Gary Trent Jr. scored 31 points, and OG Anunoby added 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Raptors. Fred VanVleet had 18 points, seven assists, four blocks and four steals, becoming the first Raptors player to have at least four of each in a game. Kyle Lowry was out.
Toronto is 3-7 straight up and against the spread in the past 10 meetings.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City lost its ninth in a row Friday at an equally-stripped down Detroit Pistons team, 110-104. Oklahoma City was missing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (right foot), Josh Hall (knee), Mike Muscala (right ankle) and Aleksej Pokusevski (right arm). Toronto native SGA probably is done for the year. Fellow Canadian Lu Dort (from Montreal) has been a bright spot this season and had 26 points and six rebounds. Whether he plays here: Who knows? At this point in the season, it’s wise to wait until the last possible second to bet on NBA teams that are tanking to determine who plays or not. Which brings us to …
Toronto Raptors
.. the Dinos. It’s almost unprecedented their outright quitting as they still have a very good shot at reaching the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. We like to get these previews out as early as possible, but absolutely wait to wager to see whom Toronto plays. The team laughably rested Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Kyle Lowry and Gary Trent Jr. on Friday but beat the also-tanking Orlando Magic 113-102. Fred VanVleet returned from a seven-game absence (six games due to injury and a one-game suspension) with six points and six assists.