Orlando Magic at Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Picks & Predictions 2/26/2018

Monday, February 26, 2018

Chesapeake Energy Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Orlando Magic head to Chesapeake Energy Arena to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, February 26, 2018. The opening line for this game has Oklahoma City as 9.5 point favorites.

The Magic head into this matchup with a mark of 18-41. They are 4th in the Southeast Division. They currently have a point differential of -4.3 as they are averaging 105.7 points per contest while giving up 110.0 per game. The Thunder have an overall record of 34-27. They currently are 4th in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 106.2 points per game and surrendering 103.4, good for a point differential of 2.8.

Valuable Orlando Magic Betting Trends

The Orlando Magic are 28-31-0 against the spread

The Orlando Magic are 27-32-0 against the over/under

Important Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 24-36-1 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 28-33-0 against the over/under

Key Orlando Magic Injuries

11/30/17 G Terrence Ross Knee is out indefinitely
02/24/18 F Marreese Speights Personal is OUT Monday vs Oklahoma City

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

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

Player Spotlight

Jonathon Simmons comes into this game averaging 13.7 points per contest while playing 28.9 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 3.5 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.4 assists per game. His FG percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is 77%. Evan Fournier averages 18 points per contest in 32.4 minutes per game this year. He averages 2.9 assists per game and 3.2 rebounds per contest for Orlando. His field goal percentage is 46% for the season while his free throw percentage is 88%.

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook has scored 25.1 points per contest while playing 36.1 minutes per game this season for the Thunder. He hauls in 9.5 rebounds per contest and has 10.4 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 73%. Paul George averages 22.3 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 36.4 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.4 rebounds per game and 3.2 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

Orlando averages 105.7 points per contest this year, which is 15th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -4.37 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 14th. From 3-point territory they shoot 36%, which is good for 19th in the NBA. They average 41.3 boards per contest and 23.4 assists per game, which ranks them 25th and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 13th with 14.6 per game. The Magic allow 110 points per contest which is 28th in the NBA. They also surrender a 47% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 27th and 12th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 45.4 rebounds a game which ranks 27th, and they allow 24.5 assists per game which puts them in 26th place in the league. They force 14.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 12th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City is 14th in the NBA with 106.2 points per contest this season. They are 21st in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 2.82. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 26th in the league. They are 5th in the NBA in rebounding with 44.9 boards per contest and 26th in assists per game with 21.2. The Thunder are 19th in turnovers per contest with 13.9. The Thunder give up 103.4 points per game, which ranks them 6th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 12th and 14th in those defensive statistics. They rank 17th with 23.2 dimes allowed per game and 4th with 41.6 boards surrendered per contest. The Thunder are 30th in the league in forcing turnovers with 16 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Magic are 20th in the league in defensive rating with 111.5, and their offensive rating of 107.1 is ranked 4th. They are 8th in the NBA in pace with 98.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 13th. As a unit they are 14th in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 14th in the NBA. Orlando is 14th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 10th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Oklahoma City is 24th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 14th in the league. The Thunder are 10th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.8, and their defensive rating of 106.9 is ranked 23rd. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 96.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 21st. As a team they are 25th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 13th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Orlando +9.5

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