by Taylor Marten – Wannamakeabet Staff Writer
Thunder +1.5 vs Pacers -1.5 – o/u 212.5
Oklahoma City Thunder (12-14)
A funny thing has happened as Paul George returns to his old stomping grounds. His new team is falling apart, while his old team is thriving. Oklahoma City is dead last in the Northwest Division. The Thunder’s “Big 3” (Russell Westbrook, George, and Carmelo Anthony) cannot get it together on the offensive end. Westbrook is shooting 39.6%, George is at 41.8%, while Anthony is at 40.4%. The inefficiency of the three is astounding and something needs to happen before the season goes down the toilet.
The best course of action is obviously for the Thunder to start winning games. But what if they don’t? Will they gamble their future to keep this particular team together?
Westbrook is coming off an MVP season and just signed a $205 million dollar contract, so he isn’t going anywhere. George is a free agent at season’s end. When is it time to start thinking about flipping him for a longer-term asset? The trade for George was a shrewd move, but it’s a failure if it results in a one-and-done season for him in Oklahoma City. Carmelo may not have much trade value, but it could be addition by subtraction for the Thunder.
GM Sam Presti made moves in the off-season that looked great on paper, but what happens on the court is the only thing that matters
The Thunder are 7-18-1 against-the-spread on the season and 2-11 on-the-road. On the over/under, Oklahoma City is 10-16 overall and 5-8 away from home.
Indiana Pacers (16-11)
The Pacers have been playing out-of-their-mind of late. Not only have they won four games in a row, but Indiana snapped the Cavs’ 13-game winning streak. Currently, the Pacers are sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference standings and have shown markable improvement so far this season.
The two players that the Pacers got in return for George have been major catalysts to Indiana’s rebirth. Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis have more than made up for Paul’s departure. Oladipo is averaging 24.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. In his last two games, he’s scored 33 points against the Cavs and dropped 47 in a come-from-behind victory over the Nuggets. If Oladipo keeps up this level-of-play, he’ll earn a much-deserved spot on the All-Star team.
Second-year player Sabonis has also elevated his play with a change-of-scenery. After averaging just about six points and four rebounds in a Thunder uniform last year, he’s bumped those stats up to roughly 12 points and nine rebounds.
The Pacers are 17-10 against the spread overall and 9-5 at home. On the over/under, Indiana is 13-13-1 and 5-8 at home.
Predictions
With Paul George having forced his way out of Indiana, the fans are going to be energized against him. The Thunder certainly have the talent to beat anyone. The last time they were in a situation like this was when Kevin Durant and the Warriors came into Oklahoma City. The Thunder clowned Golden State that game, but my bet is that Indiana is going to come out with that same fever and best Oklahoma City. The optics and the numbers all lean toward the Pacers. Pacers -1.5 for 2000 units and the over 212.4 for 500 units at Wannamakeabet.com.