Oklahoma City Thunder at Phoenix Suns NBA Picks & Predictions 3/2/2018

Friday, March 2, 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, March 2, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Oklahoma City as 7 point favorites.

The Thunder come into this game with an overall record of 36-27. They are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 2.9 as they are averaging 106.4 points per game while giving up 103.5 per contest. The Suns have an overall record of 19-44. They currently are 4th in the Pacific Division. They are averaging 104.4 points per game and surrendering 113.0, good for a point differential of -8.6.

Valuable Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 24-38-1 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 29-34-0 against the over/under

Important Phoenix Suns Betting Trends

The Phoenix Suns are 29-32-2 against the spread

The Phoenix Suns are 30-33-0 against the over/under

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

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

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

10/14/17 PG Brandon Knight Knee is out for season
03/01/18 F TJ Warren Tailbone is "?" Friday vs Oklahoma City
03/01/18 C Tyson Chandler Neck is "?" Friday vs Oklahoma City
01/31/18 G Isaiah Canaan Foot is out for season

Player Spotlight

Paul George comes into this contest averaging 22.4 points per game while playing 36.6 minutes per night so far this season for the Thunder. He pulls down 5.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is currently at 81%. Russell Westbrook averages 24.9 points per game in 36.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 10.3 assists per contest and 9.6 rebounds per game for Oklahoma City. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 74%.

Player Spotlight

Devin Booker averages 24.9 points per game while playing 34.5 minutes per contest this year for the Suns. He grabs 4.6 rebounds per game and has 4.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage currently is at 89%. T.J. Warren averages 19.5 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.1 rebounds per contest and 1.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is 75%.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City averages 106.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 14th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.86 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 21st. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 26th in the league. They average 45.1 rebounds per game and 21.2 assists per game, which ranks them 4th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 17th with 14.2 per game. The Thunder allow 103.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 6th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 15th and 15th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.4 rebounds a game which ranks 4th and they give up 23.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 18th place in the league. They force 16 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Phoenix is 19th in the league with 104.4 points per game this year. They are 28th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -8.6. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 30th in the NBA. They are 12th in the league in rebounding with 44.2 boards per game, and 29th in assists per contest with 21. The Suns are 4th in turnovers per game with 15.6. The Suns surrender 113 points per contest, which ranks them 30th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 25th and 18th in those defensive statistics. They rank 11th with 22.7 assists allowed per contest and 28th with 45.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Suns are 4th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.4 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Thunder are 9th in the league in defensive rating with 106.9, and their offensive rating of 109.8 is ranked 22nd. They are 22nd in the NBA in pace with 96.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 21st. 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 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 14th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Phoenix is 9th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 10th in the league. The Suns are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104.2, and their defensive rating of 112.8 is ranked 1st. In terms of pace they are 4th in the league with 100 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 30th. As a team they are 28th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 20th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Oklahoma City -7

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