Thunder vs Warriors NBA Handicapping
Much has changed for the Golden State Warriors since they last took on the Oklahoma City Thunder, way back on Nov. 18.
Oklahoma City Thunder (33-9) at Golden State Warriors (25-15)
Tuesday, Jan. 23
Oracle Arena, Oakland
10:30 p.m. EST
Spread – Thunder -1.5
O/U – 206 at Bovada
Check Out Ray’s NBA Plays Today!
OKC rolled to a routine 119-109 victory in that game, the result of which gave no indication that this season would be much different than most others in the Warriors’ mediocre history. GS dropped to 5-5 with that loss.
No big deal, because the Warriors already had losses to the likes of Sacramento and the woeful Lakers on the ledger.
CLICK GRAB OUR BEST Expert NBA Picks for 2013 HOOPS GAMBLING season!
Since then, though, Golden State has won two of every three games and has earned valuable street cred in a Western Conference that has a handful of teams capable of winning it all come June.
And the Warriors’ 25-15 record includes a recent (three losses in a row) patch which now seems well in the rear view mirror after a win over the Rockets and a subsequent we’re-in-this-for-the-long-haul triumph over the Clippers on Monday night.
Catching the Clippers and Thunder in consecutive games is cruel and unusual punishment in the NBA, even if both games are at home, and GS would open some eyes if they can pull off back-to-back wins against the two best teams in the Association.
The Warriors’ offense sagged when Stephen Curry was forced to sidelines due to injury, and Curry showed how important he is to the franchise when he made four 3-pointers in the fourth period when they outscored the Clippers 33-19 in the final 12 minutes to win handily.
David Lee is also recovered from injury and had a nice 12-point, 11-rebound, 6-assist stat line against the Clippers. [ad-6571516]
The Thunder, meanwhile, continue to grind through their longest road trip of the season. Six of their last seven have been away from home, and after the Warrior game they have two more California dates – in Sacramento and back to Los Angeles for the Lakers.
It’s becoming obvious that – barring injury to Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook – OKC will be one of the top three seeds in the Western Conference playoffs, and probably No. 1. And a top seed would mean avoiding either the Clippers or Spurs in the semifinal round.
Free NBA PICK
If you think there is a problem winning back-to-back road games, be advised that the Thunder are 5-0 SU in the second game of back-to-backs on the road and 3-2 ATS. GS is the best opponent they’ve faced in the back end of a back-to-back. Still, the Thunder are just playing at too high a level to go the other way with money.
Oklahoma City to cover 1.5. Totals players: OKC games usually go under in back-to-back games, and 206 is pretty heavy.
