Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - 12/18/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Memphis Grizzlies vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK

TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma

Odds/Point Spread: Oklahoma City -6

Total/Over-Under: 218

Danilo Gallinari and the Oklahoma City Thunder (12-14, 3rd in the Northwest Division) play the Memphis Grizzlies (10-17, 4th in the Southwest Division) at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Wednesday, December 18, 2019. Memphis opens this game as 6 point underdogs. The total opens at 218.

The Grizzlies cover the spread 44.4% of the time, having gone 12-15-0 ATS. Oklahoma City covers the spread 61.5% of the time, going 16-10-0 against the spread.

Key Memphis Grizzlies Injuries

12/15/2019 Grayson Allen SG Ankle Expected to be out until at least Dec 18
12/10/2019 Andre Iguodala SG Not Injury Related Expected to be out until at least Dec 25

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

12/4/2019 Andre Roberson SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Jan 1
11/25/2019 Hamidou Diallo SG Elbow Expected to be out until at least Jan 4

Player Spotlight

Jaren Jackson comes into this game averaging 17.5 points per contest while playing 27.5 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.8 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.5 assists per game. His FG percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is 77%. Jonas Valanciunas averages 13.6 points per contest in 24.8 minutes per game. He averages 1.8 assists per game and 9.7 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 57% for the season while his free throw percentage is 72%.

Player Spotlight

Danilo Gallinari scores 17.8 points per contest while playing 30.5 minutes per game. He hauls in 5.8 rebounds per contest and has 2.2 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 92%. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averages 18.0 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 35.0 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.0 rebounds per game and has 3.0 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

Memphis averages 110.2 points per contest, which is 16th in the league. Their average scoring margin is -5.8 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a unit, which has them ranked 11th. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 19th in the NBA. They average 45.1 boards per contest and 26.6 assists per game, which ranks them 16th and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 3rd with 16.4 per game. The Grizzlies allow 116.0 points per contest, which is 26th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 18th and 24th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 45.2 rebounds a game which ranks 13th, and they allow 25.1 assists per game which puts them in 22nd place in the league. They force 15.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 17th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City is 21st in the NBA with 107.6 points per contest this season. They are 9th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 0.35. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 20th in the league. They are 27th in the NBA in rebounding with 42.7 boards per contest and 26th in assists per game with 21.6. The Thunder are 19th in turnovers per contest with 14.7. The Thunder give up 107.2 points per game, which ranks them 10th in the league. Their defense surrenders a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 16th and 6th in those defensive statistics. They rank 6th with 22.4 dimes allowed per game and 11th with 44.8 boards surrendered per contest. The Thunder are 9th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Grizzlies are 25th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106, and their defensive rating of 111.5 is ranked 20th. In terms of pace they are 5th in the league with 103.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 18th. As a team they are 20th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 21st in the league. Memphis is 7th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 11th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Oklahoma City is 14th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 18th in the league. The Thunder are 18th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.1, and their defensive rating of 107.8 is ranked 13th. In terms of pace they are 25th in the league with 98.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 13th. As a team they are 8th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 22nd in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Oklahoma City -6

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