This is the first year that the NBA has implemented a full week off for the All-Star break, so it will be interesting to see what type of impact that has. A couple of teams that are squaring off on the TNT Thursday Double-Header as the action returns following needed time off.
Dallas Mavericks @ Oklahoma City Thunder
NBA Odds: Thunder -5
There is going to be a buzz this Thursday, as the NBA finally gets back into the swing of things. The All-Star break was lengthened this season, which will probably increase the amount of enthusiasm greeting the return. This is the first game after the break, and it’s a very important one. Oklahoma City has pushed one game past New Orleans for ninth place in the Western Conference and now it needs to gain eighth place by unseating the Phoenix Suns, which are half a game ahead. The Thunder were starting to heat up before the break, though, winning five of six while averaging 113.2 points per outing, which leads the league in the month of February. That’s coincided quite well with Phoenix’s slide as they have dropped five of six.
The Thunder’s Thursday opponent is a team that – like Oklahoma City – would like to be viewed as a Championship contender but doesn’t look like they’re there yet. They have won three of four and while they’re playing without Rajon Rondo in the lineup, they’ve actually been better this season without him (24-11) than with him (12-8).
Rondo is expected to make his return on Thursday, which could be a blessing in disguise for the Thunder. However, Dallas is also going to get Amar’e Stoudemire in the lineup as he’s set to make his debut after the New York Knicks bought him out last week.
Considering Dallas’ team chemistry isn’t quite right with Rondo in the lineup and that Oklahoma City has homecourt advantage, that should be the difference in this one. They’ve won nine of 10 at home and they should be able to cover and make it 11 of 12 on Thursday. Pick: Thunder -5
San Antonio Spurs @ Los Angeles Clippers
Odds: Clippers -1
On paper, this game looks like it’s a lot easier to figure out. On one hand, you have a Spurs team that’s won 11 of 14 and is well-rested. Although most teams never want that long of a break when they’ve got momentum, the Spurs are one team that will take as much rest as they can get. On the other hand, we’ve got a Clippers team that’s dropped four of six games before the All-Star break and is somewhat scuffling without Blake Griffin in the lineup.
For the Spurs, the main difference has been their defense. With the team getting healthy over the last month and Gregg Popovich having a full deck to work with, they’ve gotten back to their grassroots. They’ve held opponents to just 91.9 points per game over their last 14 outings, which is among the best in the NBA in that span.
What’s interesting is that one of those teams to smash that average was the Clippers, who went into San Antonio on January 31st and hammered them 105-85. They outrebounded the spurs by 20 while Blake Griffin had 31 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. While the Clippers clearly have the blueprint to get the job done, the challenge here is doing it again without Griffin against a Spurs team that will be very focused on exacting some revenge.
This is just a matchup of two teams at opposite ends of the spectrum right now as the Spurs are clicking and are healthy, while the Clippers are banged up and struggling. The Clippers are going to find it hard to score and match its 106.7 points per game average with the Spurs playing so well. The Spurs have topped the Clippers twice in three games this season and should do it again on Thursday. Pick: Spurs +1
