NBA odds: Oklahoma City Thunder as a road favorite?
By Phil Watson
In Sunday’s NBA odds, the Oklahoma City Thunder are an intriguing option. Visiting the New Orleans Pelicans, OKC is 1-2 on the road against sub-.500 teams.
With nine games on tap for Sunday, there could be some interesting plays based on the NBA odds for those contests. Perhaps the most interesting option is the Oklahoma City Thunder — just 7-11 on the season — laying two points on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans, based on information provided courtesy of the Action Network.
The Thunder have already beaten the Pelicans twice at home this season, including by a 109-104 count on Friday. This game will tip off at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans at 5 p.m. Eastern (4 p.m. local).
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The game will be televised on Fox Sports Oklahoma and Fox Sports New Orleans. Oklahoma City has lost its last two games in the Big Easy and three of their last four. Overall, the Thunder franchise has a 34-25 edge over the Pelicans head-to-head.
From an availability standpoint, the Thunder have declared Hamidou Diallo (hyperextension sprain in right elbow) and Andre Roberson (left knee injury recovery) out for Sunday’s game as of 8:30 p.m. Eastern Saturday night.
The Pelicans have listed Zylan Cheatham and Josh Gray out as two-way contract players. Also out will be Darius Miller (right Achilles surgery) and Zion Williamson (right knee scope). Kenrich Williams is doubtful with a sprained left ankle, while Lonzo Ball (stomach virus) and Derrick Favors (personal) are questionable.
This season. the Thunder are 11-7 against the spread overall and 4-4 on the road. New Orleans is 9-9 against the number, including 6-3 at home.
Here is the rest of the action set for Sunday:
Miami Heat (minus 3) at Brooklyn Nets
TV: Fox Sports Sun, YES Network
Tickets: Barclays Center, 3 p.m. Eastern
Availability report (as of 8:30 p.m. Eastern on Saturday)
Miami: OUT–Daryl Macon (two-way, G League), KZ Okpala (left Achilles strain); PROBABLE — Derrick Jones Jr. (strained left hip)
Brooklyn: OUT–Wilson Chandler (league suspension, Kevin Durant (right Achilles rehab), Henry Ellenson (two-way, G League), Kyrie Irving (right shoulder impingement), Rodions Kurucs (G League), Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (two-way, G League); PROBABLE–Nicolas Claxton (sore left hamstring).
Notable: This is the first of three meetings set for this season between the Miami Heat (13-5) and Brooklyn Nets (10-9), with two of those to be played at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Heat are 7-5 overall against the Nets over the last three seasons and are 4-2 on the road. Miami holds a 72-51 edge in the series.
The Heat last played Friday, beating the Warriors at home 122-105. Brooklyn picked up a 112-107 win at home over the Celtics on Friday. Miami has won seven of its last nine games, while the Nets are 6-2 in their last eight contests. Against the spread this season, the Heat are 13-4-1, including 5-4-1 on the road. Brooklyn is 9-10 overall and 5-4 at home.
Memphis Grizzlies at Minnesota Timberwolves (minus 9)
TV: Fox Sports Southeast-Memphis, Fox Sports North+
Tickets: Target Center, Minneapolis (3:30 p.m. Eastern, 2:30 p.m. local)
Availability report (as of 8:30 p.m. Eastern Saturday)
Memphis: OUT–Kyle Anderson (sore right heel), Andre Iguodala (not with team), Josh Jackson (G League), John Konchar (two-way, G League), Ja Morant (sore back); QUESTIONABLE–Brandon Clarke (sore left hip).
Minnesota: OUT–Jake Layman (sprained left toe), Kelan Martin (two-way G League), Jordan McLaughlin (two-way, G League), Jaylen Nowell (G League), Naz Reid (G League); QUESTIONABLE–Shabazz Napier (strained right hamstring)l PROBABLE–Treveon Graham (left forearm contusion), Josh Okogie (sore left knee).
Notable: The second of three meetings in 2019-20 between the Memphis Grizzlies (5-13) and Minnesota Timberwolves (10-8) and the only one to be played in Minneapolis this season. While the Grizzlies are 8-4 in the series over the last three seasons, the teams have split six games at Target Center, three games apiece. Minnesota had a 49-43 advantage in the all-time series.
Memphis lost at home Friday to the Jazz by a 103-94 score, while the Timberwolves have been idle since beating the Spurs 113-101 in San Antonio on Wednesday. The Grizzlies have lost six games in a row, while Minnesota has won two consecutive games. Memphis is 7-11 against the spread overall and 2-4 on the road, while the Wolves are 9-8-1 overall and 2-6-1 at home.
Boston Celtics (minus 7½) at New York Knicks
TV: NBC Sports Boston, MSG Network
Tickets: Madison Square Garden (3:30 p.m. Eastern)
Availability report (as of 8:30 p.m. Eastern on Saturday)
Boston: OUT–Tacko Falls (strained left Achilles), Gordon Hayward (fractured left hand), Romeo Langford (G League), Tremont Waters (two-way, G League.
New York: OUT–Kadeem Allen (two-way, G League), Reggie Bullock (cervical disc herniation in neck), Elfrid Payton (strained right hamstring), Ivan Rabb (two-way, G League); QUESTIONABLE–Marcus Morris (cervical spasms, neck); PROBABLE–Dennis Smith Jr. (left quadricep contusion).
Notable: The Boston Celtics (13-5) have taken their first two meetings this season from the New York Knicks (4-15), with two more remaining — Sunday’s game in New York and March 18 in Boston. Since the start of the 2016-17 season, the Celtics are 11-3 against the Knicks and have won the last four games at Madison Square Garden, going 6-1 since the beginning of 2016-17.
Boston holds a 295-182 lead in the all-time series, which dates back to the launch of the Basketball Association of America in 1946.
The Celtics are coming off a 112-107 loss at Brooklyn on Friday. while the Knicks last played Friday, losing at Philadelphia 101-95. Boston has lost three of its last five, while New York has lost five games straight. Against the spread, the Celtics are 10-6-2 overall and 6-4-1 on the road; the Knicks are 10-9 and 5-5 at home.
Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Lakers (minus 6½)
TV: Fox Sports Southwest-Dallas, Spectrum Sports Net
Tickets: Staples Center, 4 p.m. Eastern (1 p.m. local)
Availability report (as of 8:30 p.m. Eastern on Saturday)
Dallas: OUT–Antonius Cleveland (two-way, G League), Josh Reaves (two-way, G League), Isaiah Roby (G League).
Los Angeles: Not submitted (on Friday against Washington the Lakers were without Kostas Antetokounmpo (two-way, G League), Avery Bradley (hairline fracture in right leg), DeMarcus Cousins (right knee rehabilitation), Talen Horton-Tucker (G League), Zach Norvell (two-way, G League).
Notable: This will be the second of four meetings this season between the Dallas Mavericks (12-6) and Los Angeles Lakers (17-2), with the Lakers winning at Dallas 119-110 in overtime back on Nov. 1. Since the beginning of the 2016-17 season, the Lakers own a 7-5 edge in the series and Los Angeles has won the last four games at home and lead 4-2 since 2016-17.
The Lakers lead the all-time series 111-47. The Mavericks won at Phoenix Friday night 120-113, while the Lakers beat the Wizards at home on Friday, 125-103, for their 10th straight win. Dallas has won six of its last seven. The Mavericks are 10-8 against the spread and 6-2 on the road. Los Angeles is 11-7 against the spread this season and 7-3 at home.
San Antonio Spurs at Detroit Pistons (minus 4)
TV: Fox Sports Southwest-San Antonio, Fox Sports Detroit
Tickets: Little Caesars Arena, 5 p.m. Eastern
Availability report (as of 8:30 p.m. Eastern on Saturday)
San Antonio: OUT–LaMarcus Aldridge (sore right thigh), Keldon Johnson (G League), Chimezie Metu (sore left foot), Luka Samanic (G League), Quinndary Weatherspoon (two-way, G League)
Detroit: OUT–Jordan Bone (two-way, G League), Reggie Jackson (stress reaction in left lumber spine), Louis King (two-way, G League), Khyri Thomas (right foot surgery).
Notable: The San Antonio Spurs (7-13) have scuffled two just two wins in their last 12 games, with one of those wins coming Friday at home against the Clippers, 107-97. The Detroit Pistons (6-13) have lost eight of their last 10 games and lost to the Hornets at home Friday night, 110-107.
The Spurs are 5-1 in the series over the last three seasons, 2-1 at Detroit, and lead the overall series 25-21. Against the spread, San Antonio is 5-15 and just 3-6 on the road. The Pistons are 6-12-1 against the number and 5-4 at home.
Golden State Warriors at Orlando Magic (minus 8½)
TV: NBC Sports Bay Area, Fox Sports Florida
Tickets: Amway Center, 6 p.m. Eastern
Availability report (as of 8:30 p.m. Eastern on Saturday)
Golden State: OUT–Stephen Curry (fractured left hand), Jacob Evans (strained left adductor), Damion Lee (two-way, G League), Kevon Looney (neuropathy), D’Angelo Russell (sprained right thumb), Alen Smailagic (G League), Klay Thompson (rehabilitating left ACL).
Orlando: OUT–Michael Carter-Williams (left hip irritation), Nikola Vucevic (lateral sprain in right ankle).
Notable: The first of two meetings this season between the Golden State Warriors (4-16) and Orlando Magic (7-11). The Warriors have lost four of their last five games, as have the Magic. Over the last three seasons, Golden State is 5-1 in the series, going 2-1 on the road over that stretch. But Orlando leads the series all-time 31-29.
The Warriors lost at Miami on Friday, 122-104, while the Magic lost at home to the Raptors 90-83. Golden State is 9-10-1 against the spread and 5-6 on the road. Orlando’s ATS record is 6-11-1, going 3-6-1 at home.
Utah Jazz at Toronto Raptors (minus 2½)
TV: AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain, Sportsnet One
Tickets: ScotiaBank Arena, 6 p.m. Eastern
Availability report (as of 8:30 p.m. Eastern on Saturday)
Utah: OUT–Jarrell Brantley (two-way, G League), Juwan Morgan (G League), Miye Oni (G League), Justin Wright-Foreman (two-way, G League).
Toronto: OUT–Stanley Johnson (stress reaction in left groin), Patrick McCaw (left knee surgery), Matt Thomas (fractured middle finger on left hand); DOUBTFUL–Kyle Lowry (fractured left thumb); QUESTIONABLE–Dewan Hernandez (sprained right thumb), Serge Ibaka (sprained right ankle); AVAILABLE–Shamorie Ponds (two-way).
Noteable: Sunday marks the first meeting of the Utah Jazz (12-7) and Toronto Raptors (14-4) this season. The Raptors are 5-1 over the last three seasons, taking two of three at home over that span. Utah still leads the all-time series 27-18.
The Jazz got a needed win at Memphis on Friday, 103-94, to end a two-game skid. The Raptors won their sixth straight game Friday, beating host Orlando 90-83. Against the spread this season, Utah is 8-11 overall and 4-6 on the road. Toronto counters at 11-6 against the spread and 6-1 at home.
Washington Wizards at LA Clippers (minus 12½)
TV: NBC Sports Washington, Fox Sports Prime Ticket
Tickets: Staples Center, 10:30 p.m. Eastern (7:30 p.m. local)
Availability report (as of 8:30 p.m. Eastern on Saturday)
Washington: OUT–Ian Mahinmi (strained right Achilles), C.J. Miles (injured ligament in left wrist), Justin Robinson (G League), Admiral Schofield (G League), John Wall (left Achilles rehab); QUESTIONABLE–Moritz Wagner (sprained left ankle).
LA: OUT–Amir Coffey (two-way, G League), Mfiondu Kabengele (G League), Rodney McGruder (strained right hamstring), Johnathan Motley (two-way, G League), Landry Shamet (high left ankle sprain).
Notable: This will be the first meeting this season between the Washington Wizards (6-11) and LA Clippers (14-6). The teams have won three games each over the last three seasons, with each team going 3-0 at home over that span. Washington hasn’t beaten the Clippers in Los Angeles since Feb. 13, 2008. The Wizards lead the all-time series 76-44.
Washington lost the the Lakers at Staples Center on Friday, 125-103 … ouch. The Clippers had a seven-game winning streak stopped with a 107-97 loss at San Antonio on Friday. Against the spread this season, the Wizards are 10-6-1 while they have gone 6-3-1 on the road. The Clippers, meanwhile, are 9-10 against the number overall, posting a 7-4 mark at home.