Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - 12/20/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: Phoenix Suns vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Date: Friday, December 20, 2019

Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK

TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma

Odds/Point Spread: Oklahoma City -2.5

Total/Over-Under: 222

Chesapeake Energy Arena is the venue where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (12-14, 3rd in the Northwest Division) will play the Phoenix Suns (11-15, 4th in the Pacific Division) on Friday. Phoenix opens this contest as 2.5 point dogs. The over/under opens at 222.

The Suns are covering the spread 57.7% of the time, having gone 15-11-1 ATS. Oklahoma City covers the spread 61.5% of the time, going 16-10-0 against the spread.

Key Phoenix Suns Injuries

12/18/2019 Tyler Johnson SG Illness Game Time Decision
12/18/2019 Devin Booker SG Forearm Game Time Decision
12/18/2019 Cameron Johnson SF Hip Game Time Decision

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

Kelly Oubre averages 17.7 points per game in 32.8 minutes per contest. He averages 1.4 assists per contest and 6.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 79%. Devin Booker comes into this contest averaging 25.0 points per game while playing 35.9 minutes per night. He pulls down 3.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage is at 90%.

Player Spotlight

Danilo Gallinari averages 17.9 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 91%. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averages 18.1 points per game while playing 35.1 minutes per contest. He grabs 5.1 rebounds per game and has 2.9 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Suns allow 114.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 24th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 24th and 21st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.3 rebounds a game which ranks 23rd, and they give up 24.0 assists per contest which puts them in 16th place in the league. They force 17.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 29th in the league. Phoenix averages 114.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 6th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 0.3 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 14th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 19th in the league. They average 43.4 rebounds per game and 28.6 assists per contest, which ranks them 23rd and 1st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 23rd with 14.3 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Thunder surrender 107.8 points per contest, which ranks them 13th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 17th and 10th in those defensive statistics. They rank 6th with 22.6 assists allowed per contest, and 11th with 44.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Thunder are 9th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per game. Oklahoma City is 21st in the league with 108.3 points per game this year. They are 8th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 0.5. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 20th in the NBA. They are 27th in the league in rebounding with 42.4 boards per game and 25th in assists per contest with 21.7. The Thunder are 20th in turnovers per game with 14.6.

Advanced Statistics

The Suns are 10th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110, and their defensive rating of 109.7 is ranked 18th. In terms of pace they are 8th in the league with 103.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 12th. As a team they are 13th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 11th in the league. Phoenix is 22nd 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 54%, which is 9th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Oklahoma City is 14th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 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 16th in the NBA in offensive rating with 108.7, and their defensive rating of 108.2 is ranked 14th. In terms of pace they are 24th in the league with 98.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 9th. As a team they are 7th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 22nd in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Phoenix +2.5

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