The NBA slate dwindles down from nine games on Monday to six on Tuesday, but some marquee matchups remain. Over in the Western Conference, a potential postseason preview takes shape.
In a bout between two of the game’s best guards, Stephen Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Golden State hits the road to take on Oklahoma City. The highly-anticipated contest tips off at 8:00 p.m. ET from the Paycom Center.
Below, we’ll break down a Warriors vs. Thunder prediction and picks to consider for Tuesday night’s game. Use PrizePicks NBA to make player picks and win money if you’re right.
Warriors vs. Thunder Prediction, Preview for Tuesday, 11/11
Tuesday marks the 271st time the Warriors and Thunder will meet in the regular season. Oklahoma City owns a 146-124 series advantage, but Golden State got the most recent playoff laugh by way of a 2016 Western Conference Finals triumph.
As far as injuries for Tuesday are concerned, one side fares better than the other. The Warriors list C Al Horford as questionable with a toe issue, whereas the Thunder will be without G/F Jalen Williams (wrist), F/G Lu Dort (shoulder), SG Aaron Wiggins (adductor) and others.
Golden State Warriors Preview vs. Thunder
The Warriors have won between 44-48 games in each of the last three seasons. 2024’s 48-34 effort was sparked by the blockbuster trade for F Jimmy Butler, although it resulted in a Conference Semifinals loss nonetheless.
This year, Golden State is off to a bumpy 6-5 start. Since beginning the campaign 4-1, they’ve dropped four of their last six contests.
Head coach Steve Kerr hasn’t exercised much of an interior emphasis on offense, as the Dubs are 27th in paint scoring thus far. Instead, they take the sixth-most 3-pointers in the sport.
Defensively, Golden State is a top-10 group that tends to limit fastbreak chances (seventh-lowest allowance at 14.5 PPG).
Oklahoma City Thunder Preview vs. Warriors
Last season was one for the ages in Oklahoma City, as the franchise won 68 regular-season games and went on to hoist its first championship trophy since 1979 (yes, as the Seattle SuperSonics).
There’s no Larry O’Brien hangover for the Thunder so far. They’re 10-1 this season and boast the NBA’s best net rating entering Tuesday (+13.5).
This year’s Oklahoma City team takes tremendous care of the ball, ranking third in assist-to-turnover ratio. It also makes a higher share of free throws (86.2%) than any team.
As expected, the Thunder defense remains suffocating. Head coach Mark Daigneault’s crew surrenders fewer points (108.8) than anyone per game, also being the best when it comes to fastbreak scoring (9.9) and the paint (37.3).
Warriors vs. Thunder NBA Picks, Stats for PrizePicks Today
Here are three top Warriors vs. Thunder picks to target on Tuesday. Key PrizePicks player projections are headlined by PGs Stephen Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as well as C Isaiah Hartenstein.
Warriors PG Stephen Curry vs. Thunder Projection: 23.5 Points
- Following a three-game absence due to an illness, Curry is expected to make his return to the lineup on Tuesday.
- Following his 42- and 35-point explosions on Oct. 23 and 24, Curry averaged 22.8 PPG in his ensuing five contests.
- According to FantasyPros, the Thunder are the only team that allows fewer than 20 PPG to opposing PGs.
- Should G Ajay Mitchell draw the Curry assignment, it may bode well for Oklahoma City. Per databallr, Mitchell ranks in the 99th percentile in opposing field goal differential (-15.6%).
Thunder PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Warriors Projection: 37.5 Pts+Asts
- Gilgeous-Alexander averages 39.2 combined points and assists this season.
- The reigning NBA MVP has scored 30+ points in each of his last seven contests dating back to Oct. 28.
- Per NBARAPM, SGA’s 18.5 potential assists per 100 possessions mark his highest total since 2021 (19.1).
- The Warriors yield the eight-most fantasy points to PGs at 51.65 per game.
Thunder C Isaiah Hartenstein vs. Warriors Projection: 24.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts
- After averaging 25.7 points, rebounds and assists last year, Hartenstein has upped his benchmark to 28.5 through 11 games this season.
- Hartenstein dominated the boards in each of his games against the Warriors last season, going for 14 on Nov. 27 and 18 on Jan. 29.
- Dating back to Oct. 30, Hartenstein is averaging 4.0 assists per game. The Warriors yield the fourth-most assists to the C position (4.61) each night.
- In that same span, Hartenstein is scoring 17.0 PPG. In the five games prior, he averaged just 9.0.
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