Oklahoma City Thunder at Utah Jazz NBA Picks & Predictions 4/21/2018

Monday, April 23, 2018

Vivint Smart Home Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Oklahoma City Thunder head to Vivint Smart Home Arena to take on the Utah Jazz on Monday, April 23, 2018 in Game 4 of their 1st round series. The Jazz lead the series 2-1. The opening line for this game has Utah as 6 point favorites.

The Thunder head into this matchup after finishing the regular season with a mark of 48-34. They were 2nd in the Northwest Division. They had a point differential of 3.5 as they averaged 107.9 points per contest while giving up 104.4 per game. The Jazz had an overall mark of 48-34. They finished 3rd in the Northwest Division. They totaled 104.1 points per contest and gave up 99.8, which is a point differential of 4.3.

Valuable Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 34-49-2 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 38-47-0 against the over/under

Important Utah Jazz Betting Trends

The Utah Jazz are 45-40-0 against the spread

The Utah Jazz are 41-43-0 against the over/under

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

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

Key Utah Jazz Injuries

01/13/18 F Thabo Sefolosha Knee is out for season

Player Spotlight

Paul George comes into this game averaging 21.9 points per contest while playing 36.6 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 5.7 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is 82%. Russell Westbrook averages 25.4 points per contest in 36.4 minutes per game this year. He averages 10.3 assists per game and 10.1 rebounds per contest for Oklahoma City. His field goal percentage is 45% for the season while his free throw percentage is 74%.

Player Spotlight

Donovan Mitchell has scored 20.5 points per contest while playing 33.4 minutes per game this season for the Jazz. He hauls in 3.7 rebounds per contest and has 3.7 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 81%. Rudy Gobert averages 13.5 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 32.4 minutes per game. He also brings in 10.7 rebounds per game and 1.4 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 62% and his free throw percentage is 68%.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City averages 107.9 points per contest this year, which is 12th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 3.41 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 18th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 24th in the NBA. They average 45.1 boards per contest and 21.3 assists per game, which ranks them 5th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 18th with 14 per game. The Thunder allow 104.4 points per contest which is 10th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 13th and 19th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 42.2 rebounds a game which ranks 5th, and they allow 23.3 assists per game which puts them in 13th place in the league. They force 16 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Utah is 19th in the NBA with 104.1 points per contest this season. They are 13th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 4.3. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 12th in the league. They are 20th in the NBA in rebounding with 43.3 boards per contest and 21st in assists per game with 22.4. The Jazz are 12th in turnovers per contest with 14.7. The Jazz give up 99.8 points per game, which ranks them 2nd in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 6th and 17th in those defensive statistics. They rank 1st with 20 dimes allowed per game and 2nd with 41.6 boards surrendered per contest. The Jazz are 24th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.9 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Thunder are 7th in the league in defensive rating with 107.2, and their offensive rating of 110.7 is ranked 22nd. They are 17th in the NBA in pace with 96.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 51% is 18th. As a unit they are 21st in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 12th in the NBA. Oklahoma City is 22nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 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

Utah is 7th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 25th in the league. The Jazz are 16th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.4, and their defensive rating of 103.9 is ranked 30th. In terms of pace they are 25th in the league with 95.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 10th. As a team they are 11th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 10th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Oklahoma City +6

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald