Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets NBA Picks & Predictions 4/7/2018

Saturday, April 7, 2018

Toyota Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Oklahoma City Thunder travel to Toyota Center to play the Houston Rockets on Saturday, April 7, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Houston as 6 point favorites.

The Thunder come into this game with an overall record of 45-34. They are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.0 as they are averaging 107.4 points per game while giving up 104.4 per contest. The Rockets have an overall mark of 64-15. They currently are 1st in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 112.9 points per contest and giving up 104.0, which is a point differential of 8.9.

Valuable Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 30-46-3 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 35-44-0 against the over/under

Important Houston Rockets Betting Trends

The Houston Rockets are 41-36-2 against the spread

The Houston Rockets are 33-45-1 against the over/under

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

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

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

04/06/18 F Ryan Anderson Ankle is doubtful Saturday vs Oklahoma City
04/05/18 G Eric Gordon Foot is "?" Saturday vs Oklahoma City

Player Spotlight

Paul George comes into this contest averaging 21.6 points per game while playing 36.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Thunder. He pulls down 5.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is currently at 82%. Russell Westbrook averages 25.6 points per game in 36.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 10.1 assists per contest and 9.9 rebounds per game for Oklahoma City. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 74%.

Player Spotlight

James Harden averages 30.6 points per game while playing 35.5 minutes per contest this year for the Rockets. He grabs 5.4 rebounds per game and has 8.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage currently is at 86%. Eric Gordon averages 18.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 31.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 2.5 rebounds per contest and 2.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City averages 107.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.01 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 18th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 25th in the league. They average 45.1 rebounds per game and 21.2 assists per game, which ranks them 5th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 16th with 14.1 per game. The Thunder allow 104.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 10th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 14th and 19th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.2 rebounds a game which ranks 5th and they give up 23.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 18th place in the league. They force 16.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Houston is 2nd in the league with 112.9 points per game this year. They are 15th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 8.96. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 14th in the NBA. They are 18th in the league in rebounding with 43.5 boards per game, and 24th in assists per contest with 21.7. The Rockets are 21st in turnovers per game with 13.7. The Rockets surrender 104 points per contest, which ranks them 7th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 11th with 22.4 assists allowed per contest and 4th with 41.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 20th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.6 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Thunder are 8th in the league in defensive rating with 107.2, and their offensive rating of 110.3 is ranked 21st. They are 17th in the NBA in pace with 96.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 18th. As a unit they are 23rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 14th in the NBA. Oklahoma City is 22nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 13th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 20th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 15th in the NBA. The Rockets are 1st in the league in defensive rating with 106.2, and their offensive rating of 115.3 is ranked 24th. They are 13th in the NBA in pace with 97.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 55% is 2nd. As a unit they are 2nd in the league in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 50% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Houston -6

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