Two possible faces of the NBA collide for the first time this season, as the San Antonio Spurs play the Oklahoma City Thunder today on ESPN. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could be the next MVP, Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama are over 7’ and could be the best match of the next ten years.

The Spurs are +12.5 on the spread, with +550 on the money line. The total of the game is set at 221.5 on most sportsbooks. There is not a comfortable angle on the straight bets as 12.5 points is a large spread to cover for a team that has Victor Wembanyama. Also, it’s difficult to know how many points the Spurs will score on a night-to-night basis. 

 

 

 

San Antonio Spurs: In The Cellar

The San Antonio Spurs have had one of the worst records for the span of this decade. They have not even recorded a 35 win season and had 60 losses in each of their last two seasons. However, things are not so grim with Chris Paul at the helm and a bigger, stronger Wembanyama in the front court.

Granted they have a tough matchup against one of the best teams in the Association, but role players Jeremy Sochan and Harrison Barnes round out a better than average front court, who could keep them in this game. There is also a proposition bet on a player discussed later in the article.

 

 

 

Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder Rolls

The Oklahoma City Thunder are without question the most popular entertainment outside of Garth Brooks in the state. The team is truly rolling too, one of the three undefeated teams and they are on a course for the NBA Finals.

They have scorers, great defense, a deep bench, and several draft picks. The window is wide open with the Thunder, and they should overpower the Spurs tonight. There is a prop bet on Chet Holmgren, as he has surprised several with his play in the absence of Isaiah Hartenstein.

 

 

 

San Antonio Starting Lineup

Oklahoma City Thunder Starting Lineup

 

 

 

Spurs vs. Thunder Predictions & Picks Today: Wednesday, October 30th

Wembanyama O11.5 Rebounds (-105 on DraftKings)

Holmgren O9.5 Rebounds (-113 on FanDuel)

Betting on the big men tonight is the best angle. However, do not parlay them together, they should both cover this line, even with other great rebounders on the court.

Wembanyama has a 20 rebound game this season, and as long as he plays over thirty minutes should have 12 rebounds tonight. This could be a back-and-forth game with the total over 220 points. If so, there will be several field goal attempts, and Wembanyama can grab offensive and defensive rebounds.

Chet Holmgren has an average of 13 rebounds per game and he has two games with 13 or more rebounds. He has also played against three elite rebounders during that span; Nikola Jokic, Nikola Vucevic, and Clint Capela. Those three combine for over three decades of double-digit rebounding averages, so Wembanyama will not overwhelm the 7’ 1” Holmgren.

The key to both rebounds are minutes played, and missed field goal attempts. Missed field goal attempts come from good defense which the Thunder have displayed. If San Antonio can force Gilgeous-Alexander to attempt low percentage shots the rebounds should be plentiful. 

 

 

 

Bet Smart, Be Lucky -Iggy-