Miami Heat at Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Picks & Predictions 3/23/2018

Friday, March 23, 2018

Chesapeake Energy Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Miami Heat head to Chesapeake Energy Arena to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, March 23, 2018. The opening line for this game has Oklahoma City as 7.5 point favorites.

The Heat head into this matchup with a mark of 39-33. They are 2nd in the Southeast Division. They currently have a point differential of 0.4 as they are averaging 103.3 points per contest while giving up 102.9 per game. The Thunder have an overall record of 43-30. They currently are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 107.3 points per game and surrendering 104.0, good for a point differential of 3.3.

Valuable Miami Heat Betting Trends

The Miami Heat are 37-30-5 against the spread

The Miami Heat are 33-36-3 against the over/under

Important Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 29-42-2 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 34-39-0 against the over/under

Key Miami Heat Injuries

03/22/18 C Hassan Whiteside Hip is doubtful Friday vs Oklahoma City
03/11/18 G Dwyane Wade Hamstring is out indefinitely
01/12/18 G Dion Waiters Ankle is out for season

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

01/28/18 G Andre Roberson Leg is out for season

Player Spotlight

Josh Richardson comes into this game averaging 13.1 points per contest while playing 33.3 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 3.4 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.8 assists per game. His FG percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is 83%. Goran Dragic averages 17.6 points per contest in 31.8 minutes per game this year. He averages 4.8 assists per game and 4 rebounds per contest for Miami. His field goal percentage is 45% for the season while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook has scored 25.4 points per contest while playing 36.2 minutes per game this season for the Thunder. He hauls in 9.7 rebounds per contest and has 10.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 73%. Carmelo Anthony averages 16.6 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 32.2 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.8 rebounds per game and 1.3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 76%.

Useful Team Statistics

Miami averages 103.3 points per contest this year, which is 24th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.4 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 17th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 17th in the NBA. They average 43.1 boards per contest and 22.7 assists per game, which ranks them 19th and 17th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 15th with 14.4 per game. The Heat allow 102.9 points per contest which is 4th in the NBA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 8th and 16th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 42.4 rebounds a game which ranks 10th, and they allow 20.7 assists per game which puts them in 3rd place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 11th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City is 11th in the NBA with 107.3 points per contest this season. They are 18th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 3.27. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 23rd in the league. They are 6th in the NBA in rebounding with 44.8 boards per contest and 27th in assists per game with 21.4. The Thunder are 16th in turnovers per contest with 14.1. The Thunder give up 104 points per game, which ranks them 7th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 13th and 22nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 17th with 23.3 dimes allowed per game and 4th with 41.8 boards surrendered per contest. The Thunder are 30th in the league in forcing turnovers with 16.1 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Heat are 18th in the league in defensive rating with 106.9, and their offensive rating of 107.3 is ranked 24th. They are 27th in the NBA in pace with 95.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 13th. As a unit they are 14th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 7th in the NBA. Miami is 13th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 23rd in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Oklahoma City is 21st in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.8 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 15th in the NBA. The Thunder are 8th in the league in defensive rating with 107, and their offensive rating of 110.4 is ranked 23rd. They are 18th in the NBA in pace with 96.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 18th. As a unit they are 22nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 15th in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Miami +7.5

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