NBA Free Picks and Odds: Oklahoma City Thunder @ San Antonio Spurs Expert Predictions – NBA Betting 2/23/11: NBA leading scorer Kevin Durant will lead the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road to take on the Tim Duncan and his San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN. The Thunder enter the game having won their last 2 and at 36-19 are first in the Northwest while the Spurs are coming off a loss but at 46-10 hold the best record in the NBA and are first in the Southwest coming into the contest. “To date we have a good record but nothing of importance has been accomplished yet,” said Gregg Popovich, who coached the West during Sunday’s All-Star game.
“I think the main key for us is just to stay focused and not be satisfied,” point guard Tony Parker said. “Keep working on the stuff we want to get better at, especially our defense. Aside from that, I think the biggest key for is to stay healthy. This is a great test,” Parker said. “Great for our defense to play against Durant and Westbrook, two of the best scorers in the league. It’s going to be a great game.” The odds makers at BoDog Sportsbook have the San Antonio Spurs a -7 point favorite at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Spurs are coming off a loss 109-99 on the road to the Chicago Bulls to end a 7 game road trip moving them to 34-20-2 ATS for the season. Guard Tony Parker led the Spurs scorers with 26 points and 4 assists while Manu Ginobili added 16 points. Center Tim Duncan chipped in with 14 points and 9 rebounds and Gary Neal came off the bench to score 16 in reserve. San Antonio is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City. Vegas odds makers have the San Antonio Spurs +450 to win the 2011 NBA Championship.
The Thunder are coming off a victory 111-88 over the Los Angeles Clippers at home to move to 28-27 ATS for the season. Forward Jeff Green was the leading scorer for the Thunder with 22 points and 4 rebounds while Durant added 21 points while pulling down 8 boards and dishing 2 assists. Point guard Russell Westbrook chipped in with 13 points and 7 dimes while James Harden came off the bench to score 19 points in the win. Oklahoma City is 3-10-1 ATS in its last 14 games when playing on the road against San Antonio. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 206 points combined of the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.
MATCHUP: Oklahoma City (36-19) at San Antonio (46-10)
GAME TIME: 7:00 PM EST
TELEVISION: ESPN
Recent Thunder and Spurs Betting Odds Trends:
Oklahoma City: Under is 10-2 in OKC last 12 games as an underdog.
Over is 14-5 in OKC last 19 Wed. games.
San Antonio: Under is 15-3 in SA last 18 home games.
Under is 15-5-1 in SA last 21 vs. NBA Northwest.
Under is 9-3 in SA last 12 vs. Western Conference.
Head to Head: Road team is 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
Over is 5-2-1 in the last 8 meetings.
Vegas Betting Lines:
Favorite: San Antonio -7 Total: O/U 206(Morning Lines at Ceasars Palace in Las Vegas)
NSAwins Blog Writer Rich Fritz’s Oklahoma City Thunder @ San Antonio Spurs Free NBA Picks 2/23: Play Oklahoma City +7
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