Oklahoma City Thunder at Phoenix Suns NBA Picks & Predictions 12/28/2018

Friday, December 28, 2018

Talking Stick Resort Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Oklahoma City Thunder travel to Talking Stick Resort Arena to play the Phoenix Suns on Friday, December 28, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Oklahoma City as 6.5 point favorites.

The Thunder head into this matchup with a mark of 21-12. They are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They have a point differential of 6.1 as they average 111.9 points per contest while giving up 105.8 per game. The Suns have an overall mark of 9-26. They currently are 5th in the Pacific Division. They total 105.1 points per contest and give up 113.6, which is a point differential of -8.5.

Valuable Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 18-15-0 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 16-17-0 against the over/under

Important Phoenix Suns Betting Trends

The Phoenix Suns are 15-19-0 against the spread

The Phoenix Suns are 14-20-0 against the over/under

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

12/26/18 G Alex Abrines Illness is questionable Friday vs Phoenix
10/04/18 G Andre Roberson Knee is out indefinitely

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

12/26/18 G Jamal Crawford Knee is questionable Friday vs Oklahoma City

Player Spotlight

Dennis Schroder comes into this contest averaging 16.0 points per game while playing 29.3 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 85%. Paul George averages 26.3 points per game in 35.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.3 assists per contest and 8.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%.

Player Spotlight

Devin Booker averages 25.2 points per game while playing 36.2 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.0 rebounds per game and has 7.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 85%. T.J. Warren averages 18.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.2 rebounds per contest and 1.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City averages 111.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 6.1 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 16th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 30th in the league. They average 48.7 rebounds per game and 22.6 assists per game, which ranks them 2nd and 24th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 8th with 14.7 per game. The Thunder allow 105.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 7th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 9th and 4th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.3 rebounds a game which ranks 13th and they give up 23.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 17.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Phoenix is 26th in the league with 105.1 points per game this year. They are 17th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -8.5. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 26th in the NBA. They are 28th in the league in rebounding with 41.4 boards per game, and 18th in assists per contest with 23.9. The Suns are 2nd in turnovers per game with 15.8. The Suns surrender 113.6 points per contest, which ranks them 25th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 48% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 28th and 11th in those defensive statistics. They rank 25th with 25.3 assists allowed per contest and 24th with 46.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Suns were 23rd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 15.0 per game last season.

Advanced Statistics

The Thunder are 19th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.3, and their defensive rating of 103.3 is ranked 1st. In terms of pace they are 5th in the league with 102.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 23rd. As a team they are 24th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 21st in the league. Oklahoma City is 17th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 22nd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Phoenix is 2nd in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 6th in the league. The Suns are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.4, and their defensive rating of 112.8 is ranked 27th. In terms of pace they are 20th in the league with 98.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 21st. As a team they are 23rd in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 18th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Oklahoma City -6.5

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