Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Brooklyn Nets: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 1/15/2023

Time: 6 p.m. ET

Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Where to watch: MSG, BSOK

DraftKings: Nets -5; BKN -205, OKC +175; O/U 230

FanDuel: Nets -5; BKN -205, OKC +172; O/U 229.5

BetMGM: Nets -5; BKN -205, OKC +165; O/U 230.5

Caesars: Nets -5; BKN -196, OKC +162; O/U 230

Thunder: 20-23

Nets: 27-14

Thunder: won 124-110 at Bulls

Nets: lost 109-98 vs. Celtics

This will be one of the rare times where the Oklahoma City Thunder will have an advantage over the Brooklyn Nets, but that’s the case when the teams meet in Brooklyn on Sunday.

The Thunder, slow rebuild and all, are coming off a 124-110 win over the Chicago Bulls on Friday and improved to 2-1 on a three-game road trip. OKC has continued to be one of the more pleasant surprises in the league this season, now sitting at 20-23 coming into this game off that win, as well as the win over the Philadelphia 76ers the night before.

Josh Giddey led the way with 25 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his ALl-Star campaign with 21 points and six assists. Jalen Williams also chipped in with 22 points and 8 rebounds of his own.

"Twelve months ago, if a team goes on a run like that, maybe we crumble a little bit more; maybe guys go into their shells," Giddey said. "Tonight guys stood up and were ready for the challenge."

The Thunder have reeled off six wins in their last 10 and continue to inch closer to being a .500 team. That has been due in large part to Gilgeous-Alexander taking that next step into being one of the best point guards in the NBA. His scoring ability has taken that next leap, he’s become a clutch player whenever seconds tick down, and he’s been every bit deserving of the All-Star nod that he’ll get this year.

Opposite him will be Kyrie Irving as the Nets, surging to the top of the Eastern Conference, are looking to get back on track. The Nets are going to be without Kevin Durant for the next month, so it’s on Irving to carry the scoring load. The Nets are coming off a 109-98 loss to the Boston Celtics on Thursday.

Irving struggled against the Boston defense to shoot 9 of 24 from the floor, 3 of 11 from 3-point range, and finished with 24 points and six assists. T.J. Warren finished with 20 points and Joe Harris also had 18, but the Nets fell behind because of just 11 free-throw attempts compared to Boston’s 17.

"Each and every one of us," Irving said of replacing Durant's 29.7 points per game. "Every single day. It's just gonna be a collective effort."

The Nets are still 8-2 in their last 10 games, but replacing Durant will be a daunting task. Warren might be the closest thing the Nets have to having a tall, athletic forward replacing that scoring production. If he can do what he did in the bubble, it might work a lot easier for everyone involved.

I don’t think the Nets will get too far behind as 5-point favorites, but I can see OKC hanging around long enough to make something happen in this game. SGA will have his usual big game because Kyrie won’t be able to guard him, and the supporting cast for OKC will do enough damage. Thunder 105, Nets 102

Thunder are 23-10 ATS as an underdog this season.

Thunder are 31-17 ATS after a non-conference game the last 2 seasons.

Nets are 7-19 ATS as a home favorite of 6 points or less the last 2 seasons.

Nets are 3-13 ATS at home off a home loss the last 2 seasons. 

PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

SG: Josh Giddey

SF: Lu Dort

PF: Jalen Williams

C: Mike Muscala

PG: Kyrie Irving

SG: Royce O’Neale

SF: Yuta Watanabe

PF: Ben Simmons

C: Nic Claxton

Thunder: None

Nets: Kevin Durant (MCL sprain, out)