New York Knicks at Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Picks & Predictions 10/19/2017

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Chesapeake Energy Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The New York Knicks head to Chesapeake Energy Arena to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, October 19, 2017. The opening line for this game has Oklahoma City as 13.5 point favorites.

The Knicks come into this game after finishing last season with an overall record of 31-51. They were 3rd in the Atlantic Division. They had a point differential of -3.7 as they averaged 104.3 points per game while giving up 108.0 per contest. The Thunder had an overall record of 47-35 last season. They were 2nd in the Northwest Division. They averaged 106.6 points per game and surrendered 105.8, good for a point differential of 0.8.

Valuable New York Knicks Betting Trends

The New York Knicks were 42-40-0 against the spread last season

The New York Knicks were 39-43-0 against the over/under last year

Important Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder were 45-36-1 against the spread last season

The Oklahoma City Thunder were 33-43-6 against the over/under last year

Key New York Knicks Injuries

10/18/17 F Kristaps Porzingis Hip is probable Thursday vs. Oklahoma City
10/14/17 C Joakim Noah Suspension OUT 12 games

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

10/18/17 F Alex Abrines Hip is "?" Thursday vs. New York
10/18/17 F Patrick Patterson Knee is "?" Thursday vs. New York
10/18/17 PG Raymond Felton Wrist is "?" Thursday vs. New York

Player Spotlight

Kristaps Porzingis comes into this game after averaging 18.1 points per contest while playing 32.8 minutes per night last year. He grabbed 7.2 rebounds per contest and distributed 1.5 assists per game. His FG percentage was 45% while his free throw percentage was 79%. Enes Kanter averaged 14.3 points per contest in 21.3 minutes per game last year. He averaged 0.9 assists per game and 6.7 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage was 55% for the season while his free throw percentage was 79%.

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook scored 31.6 points per contest while playing 34.6 minutes per game last season. He hauled in 10.7 rebounds per contest and had 10.4 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage was 43% and his free throw percentage finished at 85%. Paul George averaged 23.7 points per game last year and he saw the court an average of 35.9 minutes per game. He also brought in 6.6 rebounds per game and had 3.3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage was 46% and his free throw percentage was 90%.

Useful Team Statistics

New York averaged 104.3 points per contest last year, which was 19th in the league. Their average scoring margin was -3.67 and their shooting percentage was 45% as a unit, which had them ranked 23rd. From 3-point territory they shot 35%, which was good for 21st in the NBA. They averaged 45.2 boards per contest and 21.8 assists per game, which ranked them 5th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they were 14th with 13.9 per game. The Knicks allowed 108 points per contest, which was 23rd in the NBA. They also surrendered a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 12th and 7th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents averaged 44.7 rebounds a game which ranked 26th, and they allowed 21.8 assists per game which put them in 8th place in the league. They forced 12.9 turnovers per game which ranked them 6th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City was 11th in the NBA with 106.6 points per contest last season. They were 17th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin was 0.76. They shot 33% from beyond the arc, which was good for 30th in the league. They were 1st in the NBA in rebounding with 46.6 boards per contest and 25th in assists per game with 21. The Thunder were 8th in turnovers per contest with 15. The Thunder gave up 105.8 points per game, which ranked them 16th in the league. Their defense surrendered a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 19th and 14th in those defensive statistics. They ranked 6th with 21.4 dimes allowed per game and 3rd with 40.6 boards surrendered per contest. The Thunder were 13th in the league in forcing turnovers with 13.8 per contest last year.

Advanced Statistics

The Knicks were 19th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.7, and their defensive rating of 111.5 was ranked 5th last season. In terms of pace they were 17th in the league with 96 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% was 25th. As a team they were 27th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shot 3 pointers on 28% of their shots, ranking 25th in the league. New York was 20th in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 51%, which was 17th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Oklahoma City was 11th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turned the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season was 51%, which was 18th in the league. The Thunder were 16th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.3, and their defensive rating of 107.5 was ranked 21st. In terms of pace they were 9th in the league with 97.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% was 24th. As a team they were 21st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shot 3-pointers on 30% of their shots, ranking 19th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take New York -13.5

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