Latest Betting Picks

Welcome back Nick Minicucci.

Unranked Road Dogs in Conference Play (***) Overall: 397-263-18,60% (ROI:16%) Season:3-4-0,43% (ROI:-18%) Early Season Low Total Con Dogs Overall: 268-158-10,63% (ROI:21%) Season:2-3-0,40% (ROI:-23%) #TSA

San Antonio is a very good basketball team, and this isn’t me trying to take away from what they accomplished last season. However, the Spurs finished first in our luck ratings, and I think their run to the NBA Finals has their market perception near its peak. A team can be legitimately great and still have benefited from things breaking its way. I’m betting that we’re getting a better opportunity to back Oklahoma City because of how last season ended. This is also a major revenge spot for the Thunder after San Antonio knocked them out in seven games. We have to remember how compromised Oklahoma City was during that series, with Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell both missing time. Those two are now back at full strength, which gives this offense more creation and takes pressure off Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Having Williams healthy is especially important against a defense anchored by Victor Wembanyama. You need multiple players who can create an advantage rather than asking Shai to manufacture everything. Losing Lu Dort obviously hurts defensively, but I’m less concerned about his departure than some people seem to be. His offense became a real issue in the playoffs, to the point that his minutes were reduced because of his inconsistency. Against a defense like San Antonio’s, having someone opponents are comfortable helping off can make life much harder for everyone else. There is a reasonable argument that different lineup combinations can improve Oklahoma City’s spacing and offensive flexibility. With Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso still available on the perimeter and Chet Holmgren protecting the rim, I still view this as an elite defensive group. Another matchup worth watching is San Antonio’s smaller starting lineup with Tobias Harris sidelined. The Spurs are expected to start Fox, Castle, Harper, Vassell and Wembanyama, giving Oklahoma City an opportunity to use its size with Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. I want to see the Thunder make that lineup defend size, compete on the offensive glass and force Wembanyama to account for more than just the ball handler. Harris’ absence also takes away another experienced forward San Antonio could use to balance those groups. Revenge alone doesn’t win a basketball game, but it adds to a spot I already like. The Spurs deserve respect, and Wembanyama is an enormous challenge. Still, I trust Oklahoma City’s healthier core, defensive versatility and ability to create through Shai and Williams. I’m backing the Thunder to get this season started with a win.