NBA Basketball
2012-04-20 - Oklahoma City at Sacramento Kings
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Friday 20 April 2012 - Tip Off 10pm ET
3am (British Standard Time)
Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder (45-17) have led the Western Conference for much of this season, but they now trail the San Antonio Spurs by 0.5 games for the Number 1 seed in the Western Conference. They might have a chance to erase that deficit tonight as they face the Sacramento Kings (20-42) while the Spurs entertain the LA Lakers.
It could be quite an emotional night tonight for the Kings who have nothing to play for, but tensions are running high with rumours that the owners are looking to move them out of Sacramento. I can imagine the fans are going to show some of their anger in this home game, which is possibly the penultumate one in Sacramento as at least one City is interested in taking them on.
The Thunder are likely to continue playing their stars as they look to get the Number 1 seed in the West and they will not want to lose this game with a tough one at the LA Lakers next up on the schedule.
James Harden had 40 points coming off the bench in the win over the Phoenix Suns, while Kevin Durant had his 17th double-double of the season as the Thunder want to keep their momentum going through to the Play Offs.
Sacramento have begun to fall apart towards the end of the season and they have lost 9 of their 10 games in April. They will play Isiah Thomas at Point Guard, the rookie averaging 20 points per game in his last 3 games, although he will be given a real test by Russell Westbrook.
Head to Head
These two teams have split the season series so far with two games left to play. Both teams have won their home games, both straight up and against the spread.
The Thunder are now 5-2 against the spread in the last 7 games of the series.
Sacramento are 3-2 against the spread in their last 5 games at home against Oklahoma City.
Sacramento are 13-18 against the spread at home this season, Oklahoma City are 17-14 on the road.
The Kings are 22-28 against the spread as the underdog, Oklahoma City are 30-26 as the favourite.
Other Interesting Trends
Sacramento are 2-6 against the spread in their last 8 games as the home underdog given between 5 and 10.5 points.
They are 3-13 against the spread in their last 16 games against teams from the Western Conference.
Oklahoma City are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games against teams with a losing record at home.
Prediction
I am going to back the Oklahoma City Thunder to win and cover the spread for the following reasons:
First, the Thunder hammered Sacramento at home last week and the Kings were also easily handled by a San Antonio Spurs team that had rested some of their starters.
Second, the Kings have begun to wind down, going 1-9 against the spread in games played in April.
Third, Oklahoma City have handled teams with losing records this season, going 17-11 against the spread against them, 4-2 in the second half of the season.
The Pick :
Sacramento Kings 101-114 Oklahoma City
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back the Oklahoma City Thunder - 10 Points @ 1.95
