The Oklahoma City Thunder set a franchise record last season with 68 wins, culminating in their first NBA championship since 1979, back when they were the Seattle SuperSonics. The team started strong, winning 23 of their first 24 games, including a 15-game winning streak, and they are aiming to surpass that record in the 2025-26 season.
Last season, the Thunder also tied their record of 15 consecutive wins, a feat they matched again recently without their star player, reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is sidelined with an elbow injury. They defeated the Utah Jazz 131-101 with standout performances from Chet Holmgren and Jaylen Williams, both scoring 25 points. The Thunder will attempt to break that streak on Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, hoping to have Gilgeous-Alexander back on the court.
Phoenix is struggling against the Thunder, having lost seven straight games to them since their last win on April 2, 2023. Their most recent clash this season was on November 28th, with the Thunder winning 123-119 at home.
Also on Wednesday, the San Antonio Spurs will face the Los Angeles Lakers in another NBA Cup quarterfinal match at Crypto.com Arena. Both teams are in excellent form, with the Lakers winning nine of their last eleven games and the Spurs eight of their last eleven.
The NHL has four games scheduled, including a notable “Original Six” matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and the New York Rangers. The Rangers have collected points in seven of their last eight games, while the Blackhawks have lost eight of their last ten.
In college basketball, Charleston will play South Florida, with the Bulls currently undefeated at home this season. South Florida recently beat Utah State 74-61.
In betting news, the Thunder are favored by 14.5 points against the Suns, while the Lakers are favored by 7 points against the Spurs. The Rangers are expected to win over the Blackhawks, and South Florida is a strong favorite against Charleston.
Here’s a rundown of the key games and what to watch on Wednesday, December 10th:
– Suns vs. Thunder at 7:30 pm ET, shown on Prime Video and streamed on Fubo (free trial). The Thunder rank second in NBA scoring and have consistently played high-scoring games lately. Experts predict a high-scoring encounter with key contributions expected from Phoenix’s Royce O’Neal.
– Spurs vs. Lakers at 10 pm ET, also on Prime Video and Fubo. Both teams rank within the NBA’s top ten for scoring, and though their recent games have varied, projections favor an under-total scoring game. Lakers are expected to capitalize on Spurs’ injured star Victor Wembaneyama.
– Blackhawks vs. Rangers at 7:30 pm ET on TNT and Fubo. Despite recent poor road performances, the Blackhawks are predicted to keep it close, with experts expecting a low-scoring game given both teams’ recent offensive struggles.
– Charleston vs. South Florida at 7 pm ET on ESPN+ and Fubo. The game is expected to be low-scoring, with South Florida favored to win comfortably given Charleston’s recent heavy losses.
Fan Take: Hockey fans should keep an eye on the Chicago Blackhawks vs. New York Rangers game, as it highlights a critical battle for momentum in the NHL’s competitive standings. The outcome could signal rising confidence for the Blackhawks or further consolidate the Rangers as a playoff contender, making this matchup pivotal for the sport’s evolving rivalries.
