Blazers vs Thunder 1/18/2020 NBA Prediction, Pick, Tips

Game: Portland Trail Blazers vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Date: Saturday, January 18, 2020

Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK

TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma

Odds/Point Spread: Oklahoma City -4

Total/Over-Under: 220

Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers (18-24, 4th in the Northwest Division) head to Chesapeake Energy Arena on Saturday where they'll meet the Oklahoma City Thunder (23-18, 3rd in the Northwest Division). Oklahoma City opens this matchup as 4 point favorites. The O/U opens at 220.

The Blazers are covering the spread 40.0% of the time, having gone 16-24-2 ATS. Oklahoma City is covering 65.8% of the time, going 27-14-0 against the spread.

Key Portland Trail Blazers Injuries

12/25/19 PF Zach Collins Shoulder is out indefinitely
12/06/19 SG Rodney Hood Achilles is out indefinitely
10/19/19 C Jusuf Nurkic Leg is out indefinitely
01/16/20 SF Mario Hezonja Back is probable Friday vs Dallas
01/05/20 PF Skal Labissiere Knee is out indefinitely

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

01/17/20 SF Abdel Nader Ankle is downgraded to out Friday vs Miami
01/16/20 C Steven Adams Knee is downgraded to doubtful Friday vs Miami
01/15/20 C Nerlens Noel Ankle is questionable Friday vs Miami

Player Spotlight

CJ McCollum averages 21.9 points per game in 36.2 minutes per contest. He averages 3.8 assists per contest and 4.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 79%. Damian Lillard comes into this contest averaging 26.8 points per game while playing 36.7 minutes per night. He pulls down 4.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is at 89%.

Player Spotlight

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averages 20.0 points per game and he sees the court an average of 35.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.7 rebounds per contest and 3.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is 82%. Chris Paul averages 16.5 points per game while playing 31.9 minutes per contest. He grabs 5.0 rebounds per game and has 6.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 90%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Blazers allow 113.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 20th in the league. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 7th and 22nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.3 rebounds a game which ranks 29th, and they give up 23.6 assists per contest which puts them in 12th place in the league. They force 12.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 5th in the league. Portland averages 111.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 11th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -2.0 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 13th in the league. They average 46.2 rebounds per game and 19.7 assists per contest, which ranks them 9th and 30th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 27th with 13.0 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 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 16th and 14th in those defensive statistics. They rank 5th with 22.8 assists allowed per contest, and 11th with 44.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Thunder are 10th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per game. Oklahoma City is 19th in the league with 109.4 points per game this year. They are 9th in the league in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 1.6. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 23rd in the NBA. They are 24th in the league in rebounding with 43.4 boards per game and 26th in assists per contest with 21.7. The Thunder are 22nd in turnovers per game with 14.0.

Advanced Statistics

The Blazers are 13th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.2, and their defensive rating of 112.2 is ranked 22nd. In terms of pace they are 11th in the league with 101.1 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 21st. As a team they are 21st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 16th in the league. Portland is 30th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 22nd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Oklahoma City is 20th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 17th in the NBA. The Thunder are 14th in the league in defensive rating with 108.4, and their offensive rating of 110 is ranked 14th. They are 24th in the NBA in pace with 98.5 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 14th. As a unit they are 8th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 21st in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Oklahoma City -4

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