The OKC Thunder have enjoyed a surprising season. This was a team that took a major setback during the preseason when their draft pick, Chet Holmgren, suffered an injury that took him out for what is still expected to be the entire regular season. However, the Thunder have already beaten their preseason win total, which was just 24.5 games, with bet365. When a team beats their win total -- with 27 games to go -- it really says something about them proving the critics wrong.
The Pick: OKC Thunder to make the play-in tournament +300
OKC's potential remains limited. They have one stand-out player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and one solid supporting player, Josh Giddey. Those two are enough to keep OKC competitive on most nights. But the Thunder can only really be expected to hover around the 8th to 11th spot for the balance of the season.
While 11th would miss the play-in tournament in the Western Conference, 8th to 10th would get OKC in. You have to be thinking that odds of +300 (3/1) with bet365 are good to go on the Thunder making the play-in tournament.
OKC Thunder: Will the LA Lakers budge them down?
The teams around OKC in the standings do have to be looked at too. OKC's competitors for a play-in spot include Utah, Golden State, Minnesota, the LA Lakers, Portland, and New Orleans. The Lakers are the most credible threat and their presence as a competitor for a play-in spot is probably what is lengthening OKC's odds. However, the Pelicans are a team that could drop in the standings.
New Orleans, who play Oklahoma City on Monday night, has seen their season turn on a dime with the injury to Zion Williamson. It used to be that the Pelicans were a competitor for the entire Western Conference. These days, they are trending down the standings. Williamson will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break. Re-evaluation doesn't mean he will necessarily be returning. The Pelicans are a team that OKC can hope to hop over.
But lots could happen in the chaos of the NBA. 3 to 1 for a team to make the play-in tournament when they are right in the thick of things with 25-27 games to go for most teams is a good bet. OKC could be placed at 3 to 2 at this point, meaning +300 is too long by a factor of two.
OKC Thunder betting recommendation
- Thunder to make the play-in tournament at +300
- Further reading: Our NBA Power Rankings
