With two of this year’s best teams in action, Friday’s game between the Oklahoma City Thunder (42-29 SU, 36-35 ATS) and the Toronto Raptors (50-21 SU, 31-40 ATS) ought to be highly entertaining. NBA-TV will provide the coverage from Scotiabank Arena beginning at 7:30 PM ET.
Both teams should be at close to full strength on Friday. Thunder star and former league MVP Russell Westbrook was suspended for Monday’s 116-107 loss to the Miami Heat after earning his 16th technical foul of the season last week. For the Raptors, Serge Ibaka served the third and final game of his suspension during Monday’s 128-92 win over the New York Knicks. Fred VanVleet also returned for the Raptors after missing the past month with an injured thumb.
That loss to Miami leaves the Thunder at 5-9 SU and 3-11 ATS since the All-Star break. Paul George has had some shooting issues since his return from a sore shoulder, but he seemed back to his usual self against the Heat – George scored 31 points on 9-of-18 from the field, including 4-of-11 from long range. Oklahoma City’s thin bench was held to 0-of-10 on their 3-point attempts.
