Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Toronto Raptors - 12/29/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Toronto Raptors

Date: Sunday, December 29, 2019

Location: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON

TV: SN

Odds/Point Spread: Toronto -4

Total/Over-Under: 214.5

Scotiabank Arena is the site where Fred VanVleet and the Toronto Raptors (21-10, 2nd in the Atlantic Division) will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (16-15, 3rd in the Northwest Division) on Sunday. The spread on this matchup has Toronto as 4 point favorites. The over/under opens at 214.5.

The Thunder cover the spread 61.3% of the time, having gone 19-12-0 ATS. Toronto is covering 58.1% of the time, going 18-13-0 against the spread.

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

12/26/2019 Danilo Gallinari SF Ankle Expected to be out until at least Dec 31
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

Key Toronto Raptors Injuries

12/25/2019 Pascal Siakam PF Groin Expected to be out until at least Jan 2
12/25/2019 Dewan Hernandez C Ankle Expected to be out until at least Jan 2
12/25/2019 Norman Powell SG Shoulder Expected to be out until at least Jan 2
12/20/2019 Matt Thomas SG Finger Expected to be out until at least Jan 4
12/19/2019 Marc Gasol C Hamstring Expected to be out until at least Dec 31

Player Spotlight

Chris Paul comes into this contest averaging 16.3 points per game while playing 31.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 4.6 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.5 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 90%. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averages 19.4 points per game in 35.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.9 assists per contest and 4.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 81%.

Player Spotlight

Fred VanVleet averages 18.1 points per game while playing 36.3 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.9 rebounds per game and has 7.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is at 87%. OG Anunoby averages 11.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.2 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.8 rebounds per contest and 1.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is 63%.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City averages 108.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 20th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.8 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 7th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 42.5 rebounds per game and 21.8 assists per game, which ranks them 27th and 25th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 21st with 14.3 per game. The Thunder allow 107.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 12th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 16th and 6th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.0 rebounds a game which ranks 10th and they give up 22.9 assists per contest, which puts them in 7th place in the league. They force 14.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 9th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Toronto is 13th in the league with 111.7 points per game this year. They are 19th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 5.0. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 4th in the NBA. They are 10th in the league in rebounding with 46.1 boards per game, and 11th in assists per contest with 25.0. The Raptors are 15th in turnovers per game with 15.0. The Raptors surrender 106.8 points per contest, which ranks them 8th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 42% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 5th in those defensive statistics. They rank 26th with 25.7 assists allowed per contest and 30th with 48.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Raptors are 27th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.5 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Thunder are 17th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109, and their defensive rating of 108.2 is ranked 15th. 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 11th. As a team they are 8th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 23rd in the league. Oklahoma City is 16th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.1 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.

Advanced Statistics

Toronto is 15th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 29th in the league. The Raptors are 13th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.6, and their defensive rating of 104.8 is ranked 5th. In terms of pace they are 13th in the league with 100.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 16th. As a team they are 13th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 8th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Oklahoma City +4

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