Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - 12/26/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Memphis Grizzlies vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Date: Thursday, December 26, 2019

Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK

TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma

Odds/Point Spread: Oklahoma City -6.5

Total/Over-Under: 222

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (15-14, 3rd in the Northwest Division) host the Memphis Grizzlies (11-20, 4th in the Southwest Division) at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Thursday, December 26, 2019. Memphis opens this game as 6.5 point dogs. The O/U opens at 222.

The Grizzlies cover 45.2% of the time, having gone 14-17-0 ATS. Oklahoma City covers the spread 62.1% of the time, going 18-11-0 against the spread.

Key Memphis Grizzlies Injuries

12/10/2019 Andre Iguodala SG Not Injury Related Expected to be out until at least Dec 25

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

12/23/2019 Danilo Gallinari SF Ankle Game Time Decision
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 averages 17.6 points per game in 27.6 minutes per contest. He averages 1.5 assists per contest and 4.5 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 75%. Ja Morant comes into this contest averaging 18.2 points per game while playing 29.4 minutes per night. He pulls down 3.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is at 79%.

Player Spotlight

Danilo Gallinari averages 18.0 points per game and he sees the court an average of 30.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.7 rebounds per contest and 2.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 90%. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averages 19.1 points per game while playing 35.1 minutes per contest. He grabs 5.0 rebounds per game and has 3.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Grizzlies allow 117.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 27th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the arc, ranking them 20th and 26th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.6 rebounds a game which ranks 14th, and they give up 25.4 assists per contest which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 14th in the league. Memphis averages 110.9 points per contest this season, which ranks them 16th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -6.2 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 12th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 17th in the league. They average 44.8 rebounds per game and 27.0 assists per contest, which ranks them 18th and 3rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 9th with 15.9 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Thunder surrender 107.9 points per contest, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 9th in those defensive statistics. They rank 5th with 22.7 assists allowed per contest, and 9th with 44.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Thunder are 9th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.5 per game. Oklahoma City is 18th in the league with 109.2 points per game this year. They are 5th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 1.3. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 19th in the NBA. They are 25th in the league in rebounding with 42.6 boards per game and 25th in assists per contest with 21.8. The Thunder are 20th in turnovers per game with 14.5.

Advanced Statistics

The Grizzlies are 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating with 107, and their defensive rating of 113 is ranked 25th. In terms of pace they are 4th in the league with 103.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 16th. As a team they are 18th 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 9th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 10th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Oklahoma City is 15th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 17th in the league. The Thunder are 13th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.6, and their defensive rating of 108.4 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 25th in the league with 98.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 9th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 23rd in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Memphis +6.5

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