Both the Toronto Raptors and Oklahoma City Thunder are embroiled in intense battles to make the NBA playoffs, which makes their meeting on Thursday night the most marquee matchup on the docket. The early action has already decided the Raptors will roll through the OKC Thunder, but might that overstate the situation? We believe so.
First, let's have a look at the latest NBA online betting odds for this matchup:
Always make sure to double-check these online NBA betting odds right up until you actually submit your wager. Our Thunder vs. Raptors betting odds are accurate as of games played on Tuesday, March 14. This gives linemakers ample time to make adjustments before tip-off on Thursday, March 16, at 7:30 p.m. EST.
On the bright side, you won't have to worry about any changes to Raptors vs. Thunder betting lines if you're signed up with a reliable odds provider. And luckily, this is what our reviews of the top online sportsbooks were created for. All the information we provide can help you spot the best online NBA betting sites for 2023.
There is no hyperbolizing the significance of OKC vs. Toronto. Yes, they play in different conferences. But they're both clinging to one of the coveted play-in-tournament spots, with plenty of competitors on their tail. On a relatively low-stakes night for the league's schedule, one of these teams will see their odds to make the NBA playoffs take a massive hit while the other one enjoys a substantial boost. Who will emerge victorious? Read on to find out.
The Toronto Raptors Should Not be THIS Heavily Favored
Every so often, we find a game in which the linemakers appear to have missed the mark. This is one of those occasions.
We are not sure why the Toronto Raptors are such heavy favorites over the OKC Thunder. They haven't earned that much benefit of the doubt. They are a more coherent product since acquiring Jakob Poeltl at the trade deadline, but they continue to hover around the bottom 10 of offensive efficiency.
Maybe this a reaction to bettors flooding the market after the Raptors took down the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night, much to our chagrin. But that's one game. Toronto was riding a losing streak before then. And while they have played well at home all year, one victory doesn't negate a season's worth of samples that prove the contrary.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City is quietly killing it. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has returned from his abdominal strain playing like a fringe-MVP candidate, and despite shooting struggles from Lu Dort, the Thunder place inside the top 10 of both offensive and defensive efficiency since the trade deadline.
Winning on the road is a different beast for a team like Oklahoma City. But they're starting to find themselves away from home. They just handedly beat the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans in their own arenas, and their two road games before that were nail-biters against the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns. Given the relative unreliability of the Raptors so far, this is a game the Thunder can absolutely win.
OSB Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder (+290)
Betting on the OKC Thunder Point Spread is an Incredibly Easy Decision
Below you can see the latest NBA point spread betting odds for the Thunder vs. Raptors game on Thursday:
- Toronto Raptors, -7 (-110)
- OKC Thunder, +7 (-110)
Is betting on the OKC Thunder moneyline too much of a risk for you? We get it. The Raptors will be coming off a rest day and playing at home on Thursday. Exercising caution is fine.
But don't be afraid to invest in Oklahoma City's point spread. Seven points is a gift in this case. The Thunder have been one of the most competitive teams even when losing on the road. Plus the Raptors have not exactly been blowing teams out in their victories. They have won just a single game by double-digits since Feb. 8—a span of more than a month.
OSB Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder, +7 (-110)
Offense Should Reign Supreme in Thunder vs. Raptors
Here are the latest NBA over/under betting odds for the Raptors vs. Thunder:
- Over 221.5 (-110)
- Under 221.5 (-110)
To be sure, this Thunder vs. Raptors matchup has the potential to get ugly. Toronto's half-court offense still isn't pretty, and Oklahoma City's youth movement will turn in a clunker every now and then.
Still, both of these teams like to play with pace. And while they could each stand to take more threes, the extra possessions they generate by pushing the ball even after opponent makes should drive up the score.
Unfortunately, betting trends won't help you much here. The Raptors have hit the "over" in 52.9 percent of their home games, whereas the Thunder have cleared the "over" in 51.4 percent of their away tilts. That's roughly an even split across the board—and not telltale of much.
However, both the Thunder and Raptors are hitting the "over" in 55 percent or more of their games when playing on at least one day's rest. That's the circumstances under which they'll be tipping off here. Equally important: Both teams are starting to hit more of their three-point attempts in recent weeks. Even if they could stand to fire up more, the improved accuracy will go a long way toward ensuring they hit the 222-point threshold.
OSB Prediction: Over 221.5 (-110)
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