The Oklahoma City Thunder (1-4) visit the Golden State Warriors (4-1) Saturday. Tip-off from Chase Center is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Thunder vs. Warriors odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Warriors are expected to bounce back from their first loss of the season against a team they beat earlier in the week. Led by two-time MVP PG Stephen Curry, Golden State’s chief concern has been turnovers and depth.
The Thunder covered the 10-point spread in their earlier meeting with the Warriors, losing by just 8 at home. Three Warriors went for at least 20 points in the 106-98 Golden State victory, although it was really Thunder PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who stole the show as he dropped a game-high 30.
The Thunder are coming off their first win of the season with a 123-115 defeat of the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday.
Thunder at Warriors odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 2 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Thunder +600 (bet $100 to win $600) | Warriors -1000 (bet $1000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Thunder +12.5 (-112) | Warriors -12.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 216.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Thunder at Warriors key injuries
Thunder
- Klay Thompson (right Achilles tendon) out
- James Wiseman (right knee) out
Thunder
- None affecting gambling odds
Thunder at Warriors odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Warriors 110, Thunder 102
Money line
PASS on the money line.
There is no way that betting a -1000 favorite has any great upside, even in a parlay. While the Thunder odds do give some value given how well the Warriors have been playing, I’d really only consider the points.
Against the spread
BET on the THUNDER +21.5 (-112) as the best bet in this game. The Warriors were down double-digits against the Thunder at Paycom Center last week, and it could’ve gotten out of control for the road team.
With SGA standing 6-foot-6 and Lu Dort at 6-foot-3 215 pounds an extremely aggressive defender, the Thunder should be able to limit Golden State’s backcourt.
They did that earlier this week, and while they may not win, they should be able to limit it again. Along those lines, the Warriors have been struggling with turnovers.
Combine their struggles with the fact that F Mike Muscala will be back in action and able to help space the floor, and the Thunder should be able to keep the game close.
While Golden State’s hot start is no luck and they are true title contenders, they should struggle against OKC.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 216.5 (-107) as the better side of the total. However, we’re getting to this party way late. It started at 221.5 and has drastically come down.
More than 80 percent of the money is on the Under according to pregame.com. With the Warriors ranked seventh in defensive rating and the Thunder bottom ten in PACE, the Under is the better play.
The Thunder still are in the bottom three in points per game despite their firepower, and while Golden State is better, they’re not a top-five side. I expect a low-scoring game in this one.
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