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Thunder vs Warriors NBA Preview, Picks and Expert Prediction

Oklahoma City visit Golden State as road favorites with SGA leading a matchup loaded with scoring and betting angles.

(Photo by Getty Images) Brandin Podziemski
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Oklahoma City (29-5) at Golden State (18-16)

  • When: Jan 2 2026, 10:00 PM
  • Where: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
  • TV: NBCS-BA

Oklahoma City vs Golden State Preview & Prediction

Spread: Oklahoma City -8.5
Moneyline: Oklahoma City (-360)
Total: 229.0

Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Breakdown

Oklahoma City enters this matchup as an 8.5 point road favorite, and that respect is earned. The Thunder have been one of the most reliable teams in the league away from home, posting a strong road record and consistently controlling games with pace, defense, and shot quality. Even though they have not played many true road games recently, they arrive riding a three game winning streak where they overwhelmed opponents by a wide margin.

Shai Gilgeous Alexander continues to be the engine. He has already torched Golden State twice this season, including a 38 point performance at Chase Center. Oklahoma City is comfortable playing fast, forcing turnovers, and punishing defensive mistakes. Jalen Williams adds versatility on both ends, impacting games even when his scoring dips. His rebounding, passing, and defensive activity give the Thunder a steady floor every night.

Oklahoma City also benefits from depth and discipline. They rarely beat themselves and are excellent at closing quarters, which matters when laying points on the road.

Thunder Player Prop Pick: Jalen Williams over 5,5 rebounds – His all around role and heavy minutes put him in consistent rebounding spots, especially against Golden State’s smaller lineups.

Golden State Warriors Betting Breakdown

Golden State finally looks comfortable at home after a brutal early schedule. The Warriors have won five of their last six games and are coming off three straight home wins. Offensively, they are finding rhythm, topping 120 points in five consecutive games. The ball movement is sharper, the pace is higher, and role players are stepping up.

Brandin Podziemski has been a spark, delivering clutch shooting and energy in recent games. Stephen Curry remains the centerpiece, but Golden State is at its best when secondary playmakers relieve pressure and keep defenses honest. Still, the Warriors face a familiar challenge here. Oklahoma City has already proven it can disrupt Golden State’s offense and limit Curry’s efficiency.

The Warriors will need to protect the ball and hit shots early to stay within range. Falling behind against Oklahoma City often leads to long scoring droughts and defensive breakdowns.

Warriors Player Prop Pick: Brandin Podziemski over three pointers made – His confidence is high, his minutes are steady, and Golden State will need perimeter shooting to keep pace.

NBA Final Score & Expert Prediction

Oklahoma City’s defensive consistency and recent dominance over Golden State give them a clear edge. The Warriors’ home surge keeps this competitive early, but the Thunder’s balance and late game execution separate them in the second half.

Final Score: Thunder 122, Warriors 112
Lean: Oklahoma City -8.5
Total: 
Over 229.0 

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