San Antonio Spurs vs. OKC Thunder Prediction & NBA Player Props 10/09

NBA Best Bet Today #1: Oklahoma City Thunder -4.5 (-110) at FanDuel

The Spurs are coming off a horrible 2022-23 campaign. They went 22-60, finishing last in the Western Conference. The Spurs had the worst defensive rating in the NBA (120.0 points allowed per 100 possessions) and the second-worst offensive rating (110.2). Gregg Popovich’s boys shot only 34.5% from beyond the 3-point line (26^th in the NBA) while turning the ball over 15.3 times per game (also 26^th). Keep this in mind when you’re making the NBA preseason predictions

, as the Spurs haven’t changed their roster a lot. 

San Antonio selected Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. The 7-foor-4 Frenchman will need some time to settle in, and I don’t expect to see immediate fireworks. Keldon Johnson, who averaged 22.0 points per game in 2022-23, will be a key player in the Spurs’ backcourt, while the fourth-year wing Devin Vassell (18.5 PPG in 2022-23) will try to stay healthy after playing just 38 games last regular season. 

On the other side, the Thunder will look to build on their 40-42 record from the previous season. OKC finished tenth in the West and earned a spot in the play-in tournament. After a 123-118 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, the Thunder lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves 120-95 in the battle for the No. 8 seed. OKC kept its young core and will be one of the most exciting teams to lay the NBA odds on this coming season. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will continue to lead the way for the Thunder after tallying 31.4 points and 5.5 assists per contest in 2022-23. The Thunder ranked 13^th in points scored per 100 possessions (115.2), 17^th in 3-point percentage (35.6%), and 14^th in points allowed per 100 possessions (114.2). Although Gilgeous-Alexander (rest) is doubtful to play against the Spurs, I’m taking the OKC Thunder -4.5 (-110) at FanDuel as my best NBA bet today. Keep your eyes on Josh Giddey (16.6 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 6.2 APG last season), who’ll drive the Thunder’s offense. 

Betting Pick: OKC Thunder -4.5 (-110) at FanDuel

NBA Best Bet Today #2:  Over 226.5 Points (-110) at bet365

Last season, the Spurs were tied with the Golden State Warriors for the fastest pace in the NBA (101.6 possessions per 48 minutes). San Antonio owned the fourth-lowest 3-point rate in the league, but the Spurs loved to share the ball, averaging 27.2 assists per game (5^th in the NBA). 

Hereof, I’m looking for a high-scoring affair when the Spurs and Thunder start the 2023 NBA preseason betting action. OKC prefers to play at fast pace, too. The Thunder averaged 101.1 possessions per 48 minutes in 2022-23 (tied-4^th in the league), so give me Over 226.5 Points (-110) at bet365 as my Spurs vs. Thunder prediction for the totals. 

OKC went 3-0 SU and ATS against San Antonio this past regular season. The over is 3-1-1 in their last five encounters, while the Thunder have gone 7-1-1 ATS in their previous nine meetings with the Spurs. I like when the betting trends support my NBA picks, though making the NBA predictions for the preseason opener is always a tricky job. 

Betting Pick: Over 226.5 Points (-110) at bet365 

NBA Best Bet Today #2:  Devin Vassell Over 19.5 Points (+110) at bet365

As I’ve mentioned above, Devin Vassell struggled with injuries last season. He’ll be fired up to satisfy his five-year, $146 million contract this time around, and Vassell stated that his knee feels great which is a great sign for our NBA preseason predictions. The Florida State product could easily hit a 20-point mark in a fast-paced battle against the Thunder, so my best NBA player prop today is Devin Vassell Over 19.5 Points (+110) at bet365 . 

Betting Pick: Devin Vassell Over 19.5 Points (+110) at bet365 

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