Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Picks & Predictions 12/25/2017

Monday, December 25, 2017

Chesapeake Energy Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Houston Rockets travel to Chesapeake Energy Arena to play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, December 25, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 4 point favorites.

The Rockets come into this game with an overall record of 25-6. They are 1st in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 10.0 as they are averaging 115.4 points per game while giving up 105.4 per contest. The Thunder have an overall record of 18-15. They currently are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 102.6 points per game and surrendering 99.8, good for a point differential of 2.8.

Valuable Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 16-14-1 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 17-14-0 against the over/under

Important Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 11-21-1 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 13-20-0 against the over/under

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

12/23/17 PG Chris Paul Groin is "?" Monday vs Oklahoma City
12/22/17 C Clint Capela Heel is "?" Monday vs Oklahoma City
12/14/17 F Luc Mbah a Moute Shoulder is out indefinitely

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Eric Gordon averages 19.5 points per game in 31.9 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.1 assists per contest and 2 rebounds per game for Houston. His field goal percentage is 42% for the year while his free throw percentage is 83%. James Harden comes into this contest averaging 32.5 points per game while playing 36.2 minutes per night so far this season for the Rockets. He pulls down 5.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is currently at 87%.

Player Spotlight

Paul George averages 19.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.6 rebounds per contest and 3.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 81%. Russell Westbrook averages 23.6 points per game while playing 36.3 minutes per contest this year for the Thunder. He grabs 9.5 rebounds per game and has 9.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage currently is at 71%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Rockets allow 105.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 15th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 16th and 14th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 40.6 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd, and they give up 22 assists per contest which puts them in 13th place in the league. They force 14.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 17th in the league. Houston averages 115.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 1st in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 10.03 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 9th. Behind the arc they shoot 37% which is good for 11th in the league. They average 44.3 rebounds per game and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 11th and 16th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 11th with 15.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Thunder surrender 99.8 points per contest, which ranks them 3rd in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 7th and 10th in those defensive statistics. They rank 7th with 21.4 assists allowed per contest, and 7th with 41.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Thunder are 30th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 17.6 per game this season. Oklahoma City is 22nd in the league with 102.6 points per game this year. They are 27th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 2.88. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 21st in the NBA. They are 14th in the league in rebounding with 43.9 boards per game and 25th in assists per contest with 20.8. The Thunder are 12th in turnovers per game with 14.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Rockets are 1st in the NBA in offensive rating with 116.1, and their defensive rating of 106 is ranked 21st. In terms of pace they are 8th in the league with 99.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 56% is 2nd. As a team they are 2nd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 61% and they shoot 3-pointers on 52% of their shots, ranking 1st in the league. Houston is 11th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 13th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Oklahoma City is 18th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.3 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 18th in the NBA. The Thunder are 17th in the league in defensive rating with 103.7, and their offensive rating of 106.7 is ranked 28th. They are 25th in the NBA in pace with 95 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 24th. As a unit they are 28th in the league in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 18th in the NBA.

Who will win tonight's Rockets/Thunder NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Oklahoma City +4

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