NBA Predictions: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Golden State Warriors

Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden State Warriors
Tuesday, 2/7/12, 10:30 PM EST, TV: NBATV
Opening Point Spread: Oklahoma City -3.5
Current Betting Line: Oklahoma City -2.5
Opening Total: 205.5
Current Total: 206
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis is tenth in the NBA in scoring

Oklahoma City will come into tonight’s game against the Golden State Warriors with some tired legs, capturing a 111-107 overtime win over the Portland Trail Blazers last night as one-point road favorites. The Thunder must be respected in this spot due to their 10-4 road record, which is the best mark among all Western Conference teams. None of this may matter if star forward Kevin Durant decides to go off on the Warriors, averaging 32.1 points per game against them on the road, which is his highest mark in any opposing arena. Oklahoma City is 2-5 ATS when playing on back-to-back days this year, while the “under” is 4-3 in that situation.

The Thunder really have no secret in winning away from Oklahoma City, simply taking it as it comes. “We just take it one day, one game at a time,” commented head coach Scott Brooks. “Our guys love to play on the road.” Point guard Russell Westbrook is also a major player on the offensive end, scoring 28 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in last night’s win, missing a triple-double by just two assists.

Golden State will enter on two days rest and comes off a disappointing 114-106 overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings as 1.5-point road underdogs. The Warriors have gone “over” the total in four of their last five contests, while posting a 2-3 ATS mark in that span. “We got outworked in overtime and we are going to have to individually and collectively look in the mirror,” stated Warriors first-year head coach Mark Jackson after the recent defeat. Golden State is 0-2 ATS as a home underdog of three points or less this season, with both of those going “under” the total.

The Warriors are led offensively by the play of shooting guard Monta Ellis, who ranks 10th in the league in scoring 21.3 points per game. Golden State is 6-7 at home this season and is 3-4 when playing Western Conference teams inside Oracle Arena. It’s important to note that the franchise has won 12 of its past 16 home games in this series. Point guard Stephen Curry has enjoyed playing against the Thunder, averaging 24.5 points on 56.1 percent shooting in his last eight games in the series.