The Thunder give up the second-fewest points per game in the NBA. They have the sixth-best point differential per 100 possessions. And, oh yes, they have three superstars in their lineup - Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony along with an underrated center who does much of the dirty work, Steven Adams.

Yet Oklahoma City is 8-11 SU and ATS. What in the heck gives with this team, anyways?

I'm certainly not a fan of Billy Donovan as an NBA coach. He should go back to college. Westbrook, George and Anthony are all playing below expectations especially with their shooting and Oklahoma City can't win on the road going 2-8.

This, of course, begs the question of why back them as road chalk?

I admit, some of it may be a leap of faith. The Thunder are coming off a horrendous 97-81 road loss to lowly Dallas. That was back on Saturday. They've had to live with the sting of that for three full days. Now finally they get to play again.

So part of the handicap is based on situation. Oklahoma City has had ample time to rest and game plan. Orlando is home for the first time in nine days following a four-game road trip that conclued Monday night in Indiana.

The Magic are the coldest team in the NBA losers of nine in a row with six of those defeats occurring by double-digits. Orlando is surrendering an average of 117.4 points during its nine-game loss streak. Westbrook, George and Anthony should get well against such a terrible defense.

The Thudner average 12 more points per game than the Magic. Orlando doesn't defend well, shoot well and makes poor decisions on offense.

Oklahoma City is a bully. The Thunder can beat bad teams. The Magic aren't only bad, but they're soft, tailor-made for the Thunder to exploit.

Orlando has a bad history, too, versus Oklahoma City losing in nine of the past 11 meetings, including five of six at home.