Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs Picks and Predictions October 30th 2024

Thunder vs Spurs October 30th 2024

In a Western Conference matchup, the Thunder (-872) will host the Spurs (+578) at Paycom Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 ET, and the game will be televised on ESPN.

Oklahoma City (-13) is currently 3-0 on the season, while San Antonio is 1-2. The over/under line for this game is set at 221.5 points.

Spurs vs. Thunder Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder
• Where: Oklahoma City at Paycom Center
• Date: Wednesday, October 30th
• Betting Odds OKC -13, SA +578 | OKC -872 O/U 221.5

The Spurs Can Win If…

San Antonio fell to 1-2 on the season after a 106-101 home loss to the Rockets on Monday. The Spurs entered the game as +2.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The combined score of 207 points fell short of the 220-point O/U line.

Houston’s 10-0 run turned the game early, as they went from trailing 24-15 to leading 25-24. San Antonio battled back, outscoring the Rockets 30-25 in the 3rd quarter and 26-19 in the 4th, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

The Spurs struggled offensively in their 106-101 loss to the Rockets, shooting just 42.5% from the field and 30.3% from three-point range, hitting only 10 threes. Jeremy Sochan led the way with 22 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 47.4% from the floor.

Chris Paul added 16 points, knocking down 3 threes at a 75% clip, with 10 of his points coming in the 2nd quarter. Malaki Branham contributed 15 points, hitting 3 threes at 60%, while Victor Wembanyama scored 9 of his 14 points in the 4th quarter.

Despite a strong defensive effort in the 2nd half, the Spurs couldn’t overcome their 2nd quarter struggles, allowing 33 points in a 106-101 loss to the Rockets. San Antonio gave up 15 threes on 40% shooting from deep.

Overall, the Spurs held the Rockets to 41% shooting from the field. They sent Houston to the line 24 times, where the Rockets hit 21 free throws. San Antonio finished with 6 steals and 6 blocks.

• In their last ten games away from home, the Spurs have a straight up record of 4-6 while going 7-3 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 109 points per game in these contests.
• In their last three games as the betting underdog, the Spurs have a straight up record of 1-2 and an ATS mark of 1-2.
• Over their last five games, the Spurs have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

The Thunder Can Win If…

The Thunder improved to 3-0 this season with a 128-104 win over the Hawks on Sunday. Playing at home, Oklahoma City entered the game as -11 point favorites and covered the spread. The total points for the game were 232, just over the pre-game line of 229.

Oklahoma City went on an 11-0 run, turning a 58-53 deficit into a 64-58 lead. They finished the game strong, outscoring Atlanta 39-18 in the 4th quarter after leading 89-86 going into the final period.

In their 106-101 loss to the Rockets, the Spurs shot 42.5% from the field and connected on just 10 threes at a 30.3% clip. Jeremy Sochan led the way with 22 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 47.4% from the floor.

Chris Paul added 16 points, hitting 3 threes at 75%, while Malaki Branham contributed 15 points, also making 3 threes at 60%. Sochan scored 10 points in the 3rd quarter, while Paul had 10 in the 2nd and 6 more in the 4th.

Despite giving up 31 points in the 2nd quarter, the Thunder’s defense tightened up in the 4th, allowing just 18 points to secure the win. Overall, they held the Hawks to 104 points on 39% shooting.

Oklahoma City limited Atlanta’s three-point shooting, allowing just 10 made threes on 32% shooting. They also recorded 13 steals and 12 blocks in the game.

• When looking at their past five home matchups, Oklahoma City has an ATS record of 4-1 while averaging 106 per game. The team went 3-2 overall in these games.
• In their last ten games as the betting favorite, the Thunder have a straight up record of 8-2 and an ATS mark of 7-3.
• In their last five games, the Thunder have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +13, the Spurs is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 221.5 and our model has the Spurs and Thunder finishing with a combined 262 points. Our pick is to take the over.

In a highly anticipated matchup, two of the NBA’s brightest young stars, Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, are set to square off as the San Antonio Spurs visit the Oklahoma City Thunder. This showdown offers fans a unique opportunity to witness the league’s next generation of elite big men as Wembanyama and Holmgren bring skill, agility, and a bit of an “old-school” rivalry feel to the court.

NBA Basketball picks for Today

Rising Stars Collide: Wembanyama and Holmgren Headline the Matchup

Victor Wembanyama, fresh off winning last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, brings an impressive skill set to the Spurs. Meanwhile, his counterpart, Chet Holmgren, helped the Thunder secure one of the best records in the Western Conference last season, adding a playoff win to his rookie accomplishments. Now, with both players primed for a breakout season, they’ll meet for the first time this season on Wednesday in Oklahoma City.

“Two big guys going at it, you don’t really see that too much anymore,” said Spurs backup center Zach Collins in an interview with the San Antonio Express-News. “Kind of has a very old-school feel to it, two heavyweights… they take it personal.” Collins’s comments capture the excitement surrounding this rare big-man duel, which promises plenty of action at both ends of the court.

Seasoned Rivals: Last Season’s Head-to-Head Stats

Last season’s matchups gave fans a taste of the potential rivalry. The Thunder edged out the Spurs in three of their four encounters, though Wembanyama made his mark, averaging 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 4.3 assists over three games. His standout game featured 28 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists, demonstrating the dynamic skill set that ultimately earned him Rookie of the Year honors.

On the other side, Holmgren held his own, averaging 14.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists against the Spurs. With both players stepping up their stats this season, fans are expecting an even more intense showdown.

Current Form: Wembanyama’s Challenges and Holmgren’s Hot Start

This season, Wembanyama has shown a mix of skill and early adjustments as he works to find rhythm after a busy offseason with France’s Olympic team. Across the Spurs’ first three games (1-2), he’s averaged 20 points, 12 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.7 blocks per game. However, he’s struggled from beyond the arc, shooting only 22.2%—a dip from last season’s 32.5%.

“I’m in shape,” Wembanyama said, “but now it’s just getting used to playing again, my teammates, the different ways teams guard us, different strategies. Everybody’s going to get better as the season goes on.” His adaptability and resilience could be key factors against the Thunder’s league-leading defense.

Holmgren, meanwhile, has been on a tear, averaging 23.7 points, 13 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 4.0 blocks, propelling Oklahoma City to a 3-0 start—their best season opening since 2016. With Holmgren in peak form, the Thunder have shown both offensive and defensive prowess, winning each of their games by at least 15 points.

Thunder’s Defensive Dominance and Depth Concerns

Oklahoma City has relied on strong defense, currently holding the league’s best defensive rating by allowing only 90.8 points per 100 possessions. Head Coach Mark Daigneault praised his team’s “high compete level,” although he remains cautious, noting that “you are the level that you play at every night, so we have to play to that level again.”

However, the Thunder’s frontcourt depth has been tested by injuries to Isaiah Hartenstein (hand), Jaylin Williams (hamstring), and Kenrich Williams (knee), meaning Holmgren may need to shoulder an even larger role. Daigneault, however, doesn’t plan to limit his minutes: “These guys are young players, and one of the benefits of having young players is they can go.”

Spurs’ Challenges and Adjustments Without Tre Jones

San Antonio faces its own challenges, missing starting point guard Tre Jones for a third straight game after he sprained his right ankle in the season opener. Jones’s absence will require the Spurs to adjust their offensive game plan, potentially relying more on Wembanyama’s playmaking and scoring ability to fill the gap.

A New Era of Big-Men Rivalry

This Spurs-Thunder showdown isn’t just about team records; it symbolizes the next generation of versatile, skilled big men taking center stage. Wembanyama and Holmgren embody a new wave of athleticism in NBA centers, making this matchup a must-watch for fans who love the evolving game dynamics. Both teams aim to build on early successes and refine their rosters, but the spotlight remains on Wembanyama and Holmgren as they redefine what big men can do on the court.

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