Thunder vs Wizards Prediction

Washington Wizards (6-28) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (23-11)

Game Info: Monday, January 8, 2024 at 7:00 pm (Capital One Arena)

Betting Odds: Washington Wizards +11.5 -- Over/Under:

The Oklahoma City Thunder travel to the Capital One Arena to take on the Washington Wizards on Monday night. Here's a Thunder vs Wizards prediction.

Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been in fine form as they've won eight of their last 11 games overall, but they will be hoping to snap a two-game skid here after getting beaten by the Nets in a 124-115 road defeat on Friday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 34 points, nine rebounds and six assists, Jalen Williams added 20 points with five assists while Chet Holmgren chipped in with 17 points. As a team, the Thunder shot 53 percent from the field and nine of 31 from the 3-point line, but they were always fighting an uphill battle in this one after allowing the Nets to explode for 75 points in the first half. The Thunder trailed in this game by as many as 32 points before they poured in 36 points in the fourth quarter to keep it within single digits. OKC will play against Miami after this one.

Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ranks 1st amongst qualified players for steals per game (2.4) this season.
• Chet Holmgren is one of only four qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.5 threes and 1.5 blocks this season.

Washington Wizards

Meanwhile, the Washington Wizards have been in a slump as they've lost nine of their last 11 games overall and they will be hoping to arrest a four-game slide after getting run over by the Knicks in a 121-105 loss on Saturday. Kyle Kuzma led the team with 27 points, Deni Avdija added 23 points with 10 rebounds and six assists while Tyus Jones chipped in with 11 points and eight assists. As a team, the Wizards shot 47 percent from the field and 13 of 37 from the 3-point line, but they struggled to match the Knicks from the start and were never in the contest after falling behind by 20 points going into halftime. The Wizards will face the Pacers after this game.

Washington Wizards Player Facts

• Daniel Gafford ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (68.8%) this season.
• Tyus Jones ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (6.6) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Wizards rank 30th in the league for opponent points per game this season (126.1).
• The Wizards rank 30th in the league for opponent assists per game this season (30.4).
• The Thunder rank 30th in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (8.2).
• The Thunder rank 30th in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (13.4).

Thunder vs Wizards prediction

The Thunder look to have cooled off a bit with two losses in a row, but they are still in much better shape compared to the Wizards who have lost nine of 11 and their last four in a row. This is the first meeting between these teams this season, so while the Thunder are a little below their best, they are still levels above the slumping Wizards who can't seem to build any momentum this season. The line is hefty, but I'll back the Thunder to take control early and win this one by double digits on the road. 

The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.