The West's top two treated us to a seven-game epic in last season's conference decider and now Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs kick off the new term in each other's faces once more, this time at the Alamodome.
The Spurs obviously came good against OKC in the summer, defying the odds against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's showboaters before then getting their hides whacked by the Knicks in the Finals.
SGA and Wemby getting it on again takes star billing and since the Spurs are just 1.5-point favourites on home court, clearly the price-setters are expecting a tight encounter.
Thunder vs. Spurs betting picks and predictions
San Antonio Spurs -1.5 (-108)
San Antonio and Oklahoma City closed out last season's Western Conference program with a play-offs classic and now they get to go again to kickstart '26/27.
The Spurs came good back in the summer, winning Game 7 on the road 111-103 to stamp their pass to the Finals where they found the Knicks ridiculously hot.
But let's not forget, this was a young team which wasn't supposed to be in the Finals - that was OKC's destiny.
The truth is the Spurs will almost certainly be better again this season and what an opportunity to make the ultimate statement by fending off a growling Thunder, still smarting after that play-off heartache.
The Spurs certainly look settled behind the mighty Victor Wembanyama, who is poised to post some crazy numbers once more.
The Thunder have made some key summer tweaks but still retain fabulous scoring power behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The storyline runs deeper than those two - which supporting cast can back up their star men?
But there is no doubt the Spurs had the measure of OKC last season and can emphasise that edge by landing the odds on home court.
De'Aaron Fox 2+ Threes Made (-115)
De'Aaron Fox cooled a little from the player who went eight straight nights in January converting at least two threes.
But the Spurs' guard was still chancing his arm all the way to the last two games of the Finals in which he attempted a combined 17 shots from downtown against the Knicks. He connected with five of those.
Fox will get looks from distance and he went 3-7 from 3-point range against the Thunder when they last met in Game 7 of their Conference final.
Take Fox to make at least two in the season opener against OKC.
Chet Holmgren Under 14.5 Points & Assists (-125)
Chet Holmgren has plenty of points to prove after a pretty awful Western Conference Finals display against San Antonio, but weaknesses against the Spurs aren't confined to the play-offs.
Holmgren averaged just 10.7 points per game in the best-of-seven shootout in which he was bossed by Wemby.
Over 11 games against SA over the season he averaged 10.6 points, just failing to produce against the man he needed to at least match.
Defensively he was good, but offensively he had zero impact in nearly all tussles against the Spurs.
He will be fired up this week, that's for sure, but maybe the Spurs simply have his number. And if that's the case then go under 14.5 points and assists.
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Thunder vs. Spurs odds
Thunder | -102 |
Spurs | -118 |
Spread | Spurs -1.5 |
Total Points | O/U 232.5 |
Thunder vs Spurs player props
Player points
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) | O/U 29.5 |
Jalen Williams (Thunder) | O/U 17.5 |
Chet Holmgren (Thunder) | O/U 12.5 |
Victor Wembanyama (Spurs) | O/U 26.5 |
De'Aaron Fox (Spurs) | O/U 15.5 |
Stephon Castle (Spurs) | O/U 16.5 |
Thunder vs Spurs Team news
Chet Holmgren has been injured in the summer but it looks like he will be suiting up for the Thunder.
Rookie center, 7ft 3in Spaniard Aday Mara, will doubtless get some court time to try to literally go eye to eye with Victor Wembanyama.
Tobias Harris is San Antonio's sole absentee.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
