San Antonio at Oklahoma City NBA Spread, Betting Pick & TV Info

How great would a first-round playoff series between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder be? The game’s best defender, the Spurs’ Kawhi Leonard, against its best offensive force, the Thunder’s Russell Westbrook. The Spurs and Thunder could meet in the playoffs but first conclude their regular- season series on Friday night in OKC. If the Spurs play all their key guys, they will be NBA odds favorites.

San Antonio at Oklahoma City NBA Spread, Betting Pick & TV Info

When: Friday, March 31, 8 PM ET Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, OKC TV: ESPN Stream: NBA.tv Radio: San Antonio / Oklahoma City NBA Odds: Spurs favored by TBA

Why Bet on San Antonio?

The Red Wings’ 25-year streak of playoff appearances ended Tuesday, leaving the Spurs with the longest active streak in the U.S.’s four major sports. The Packers and Patriots lead the NFL, while the Dodgers lead all MLB teams with just four. The Spurs are still hoping to catch Golden State for the top seed in the West; whether that happens will largely depend on what happened in Wednesday’s Golden State at San Antonio matchup. With the Spurs’ 103-74 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, San Antonio entered Wednesday’s game 4-0 against the Cavs and Warriors this season. With a win on Wednesday, the Spurs could have become just the third team in a non-strike- shortened season to go undefeated against both teams from the previous season’s NBA Finals, joining the 2004-05 Memphis Grizzlies and 1994-95 Seattle Supersonics. Also with a win Wednesday night, the Spurs would have tied tie for the best record against top-five teams in a season in NBA history behind last year’s Warriors, who went 10-1. The only other team with an above-.500 win percentage against top-five teams this season is the Chicago Bulls (7-6). The victory on Monday vs. Cleveland marked Leonard’s 100th straight game in double figures, which is the longest streak by a Spur since David Robinson in 1996. Leonard is the first Spur to average 25 points or more since Tim Duncan in 2001-02 (25.5 ppg) and just the fourth Spur to ever accomplish the feat (George Gervin, David Robinson). With a win March 25 vs. New York, the Spurs became the first team this season to log at least one win against every other team in the league. This is also their third consecutive season to do so, which is the longest such streak since Philadelphia logged seven straight from 1974-75 to 1980-81. The Spurs have the best defensive rating in the league (100.7) and second best net rating (8.9) behind Golden State. The Silver and Black bench has outscored the opposing reserves in 16 of the last 18 games.

Why Bet on Oklahoma City?

It’s looking as if the Thunder will finish sixth in the West and open the playoffs against Houston, but it’s possible OKC cold get to fifth or slip to seventh. Not only did Westbrook record his 37th triple-double of the season on Monday night against the Mavericks, but he also took over the game with 12 of Oklahoma City’s final 14 points in a 92-91 win over Dallas. The Thunder scored the game’s final 14 points. Westbrook sank the game-winner with 7.1 seconds left. Westbrook has made 11 more clutch-time shots than anyone in the league and has scored the most clutch points on 43.2 percent shooting. In one-possession games with under 30 seconds left, Westbrook has the most points in the league. Behind or tied in the last 10 seconds of a one-possession game, he has the most points in the league this season. This is the first season in NBA history in which 2 players recorded at least 20 triple-doubles. Westbrook has 37. James Harden recorded his 20th on Tuesday. The NBA single-season record is 41 by Oscar Robertson. The Thunder are 1-1 vs. the Spurs this year. San Antonio won the first meeting 108-94 at home. Leonard had 36 points. LaMarcus Aldridge chipped in another 25 points. Westbrook had 27 points and 14 assists. In the second game, the Thunder won 102-92 at home. Playing on the second night of a back-to- back, the Spurs were without Tony Parker (back stiffness), Manu Ginobili (rest) and Kyle Anderson (right knee sprain). Westbrook had 23 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists.

San Antonio at Oklahoma City Betting Pick: San Antonio Spurs

Monitor whether Spurs coach Gregg Popovich rests any key players off Wednesday’s huge game. If he does, go Thunder here.