Oklahoma City Thunder at Toronto Raptors NBA Picks & Predictions 3/18/2018

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Air Canada Centre

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Oklahoma City Thunder travel to Air Canada Centre to play the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, March 18, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Toronto as 7 point favorites.

The Thunder head into this matchup with a mark of 42-29. They are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.3 as they are averaging 107.1 points per contest while giving up 103.8 per game. The Raptors have an overall mark of 52-17. They currently are 1st in the Atlantic Division. They are averaging 112.3 points per contest and giving up 103.5, which is a point differential of 8.8.

Valuable Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 28-41-2 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 33-38-0 against the over/under

Important Toronto Raptors Betting Trends

The Toronto Raptors are 40-29-0 against the spread

The Toronto Raptors are 34-34-1 against the over/under

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

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

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

03/17/18 G Norman Powell Ankle is downgraded to doubtful Sunday vs Oklahoma City

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook comes into this contest averaging 25.2 points per game while playing 36.2 minutes per night so far this season for the Thunder. He pulls down 9.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 10.2 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is currently at 74%. Carmelo Anthony averages 16.7 points per game in 32.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.3 assists per contest and 5.9 rebounds per game for Oklahoma City. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 77%.

Player Spotlight

DeMar DeRozan averages 23.7 points per game while playing 34.1 minutes per contest this year for the Raptors. He grabs 4 rebounds per game and has 5.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage currently is at 83%. Kyle Lowry averages 16.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.6 rebounds per contest and 6.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City averages 107.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.28 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 18th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 44.9 rebounds per game and 21.4 assists per game, which ranks them 5th and 27th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 16th with 14.1 per game. The Thunder allow 103.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 7th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 12th and 22nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 41.8 rebounds a game which ranks 4th and they give up 23.2 assists per contest, which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 16 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto is 3rd in the league with 112.3 points per game this year. They are 9th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 8.84. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 22nd in the NBA. They are 14th in the league in rebounding with 44 boards per game, and 7th in assists per contest with 23.9. The Raptors are 27th in turnovers per game with 13.2. The Raptors surrender 103.5 points per contest, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 5th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 9th with 21.9 assists allowed per contest and 12th with 42.6 rebounds surrendered per game. The Raptors are 22nd in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.9 per game this season.

Advanced Statistics

The Thunder are 8th in the league in defensive rating with 106.9, and their offensive rating of 110.3 is ranked 22nd. They are 20th in the NBA in pace with 96.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 19th. 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 13th 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 52%, which is 16th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Toronto is 27th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 28th in the league. The Raptors are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 114.3, and their defensive rating of 105.3 is ranked 27th. In terms of pace they are 14th in the league with 97.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 5th. As a team they are 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 5th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Toronto -7

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