Utah Jazz at Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Picks & Predictions 4/18/2018

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Chesapeake Energy Arena

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Utah Jazz head to Chesapeake Energy Arena to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 in Game 2 of their 1st round series. OKC leads the series 1-0. The opening line for this game has Oklahoma City as 5 point favorites.

The Jazz had a regular season record of 48-34. They were 3rd in the Northwest Division. They currently had a point differential of 4.3 as they averaged 104.1 points per game while giving up 99.8 per contest. The Thunder had an overall record of 48-34 during the regular season. They finished the campaign 2nd in the Northwest Division. They averaged 107.9 points per game and surrendered 104.4, good for a point differential of 3.5.

Valuable Utah Jazz Betting Trends

The Utah Jazz are 43-40-0 against the spread

The Utah Jazz are 40-42-0 against the over/under

Important Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 34-47-2 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 37-46-0 against the over/under

Key Utah Jazz Injuries

04/16/18 G Donovan Mitchell Foot is probable Wednesday vs Oklahoma City
01/13/18 F Thabo Sefolosha Knee is out for season

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

04/16/18 F Paul George Hip is probable Wednesday vs Utah
01/28/18 G Andre Roberson Leg is out for season

Player Spotlight

Rudy Gobert comes into this game averaging 13.5 points per contest while playing 32.4 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 10.7 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.4 assists per game. His FG percentage is 62% while his free throw percentage is 68%. Donovan Mitchell averages 20.5 points per contest in 33.4 minutes per game this year. He averages 3.7 assists per game and 3.7 rebounds per contest for Utah. His field goal percentage is 44% for the season while his free throw percentage is 81%.

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook has scored 25.4 points per contest while playing 36.4 minutes per game this season for the Thunder. He hauls in 10.1 rebounds per contest and has 10.3 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 74%. Paul George averages 21.9 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 36.6 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.7 rebounds per game and 3.3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 82%.

Useful Team Statistics

Utah averages 104.1 points per contest this year, which is 19th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 4.3 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 13th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 12th in the NBA. They average 43.3 boards per contest and 22.4 assists per game, which ranks them 20th and 21st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 12th with 14.7 per game. The Jazz allow 99.8 points per contest which is 2nd in the NBA. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 6th and 17th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 41.6 rebounds a game which ranks 2nd, and they allow 20 assists per game which puts them in 1st place in the league. They force 14.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City is 12th in the NBA with 107.9 points per contest this season. They are 18th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 3.41. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 24th in the league. They are 5th in the NBA in rebounding with 45.1 boards per contest and 28th in assists per game with 21.3. The Thunder are 18th in turnovers per contest with 14. The Thunder give up 104.4 points per game, which ranks them 10th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 13th and 19th in those defensive statistics. They rank 13th with 23.3 dimes allowed per game and 5th with 42.2 boards surrendered per contest. The Thunder are 30th in the league in forcing turnovers with 16 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

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

Advanced Statistics

Oklahoma City is 22nd 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 13th in the league. The Thunder are 7th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.7, and their defensive rating of 107.2 is ranked 22nd. In terms of pace they are 17th in the league with 96.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 18th. As a team they are 21st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 12th in the league.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Utah +5

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 Guy Bruhn