Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets Prediction, 8/18/2020 NBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Houston Rockets

Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Location: HP Field House in Orlando, Florida

TV: TNT

Odds/Point Spread: Houston -1.5

Total/Over-Under: 227

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (44-27, 2nd in the Northwest Division) head to HP Field House on Tuesday where they'll take on the Houston Rockets (44-27, 1st in the Southwest Division). The line on this contest has Houston as 1.5-point favorites. The total is set at 227.

The Thunder cover 61.1% of the time, having gone 44-28-0 ATS. Houston is covering the spread 45.8% of the time, going 33-39-0 against the spread.

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

08/17/20 SG Luguentz Dort Knee is doubtful Tuesday vs Houston
08/14/20 PG Chris Paul Hand is questionable Tuesday vs Houston

Key Houston Rockets Injuries

08/14/20 G Danuel House Toe is questionable Tuesday vs Oklahoma City
08/14/20 PG Russell Westbrook Quad is out indefinitely
07/21/20 SF Thabo Sefolosha Personal is out for season

Player Spotlight

Steven Adams averages 10.9 points per game in 26.7 minutes per contest. He averages 2.3 assists per contest and 9.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 59% for the year while his free throw percentage is 58%. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander comes into this contest averaging 19.0 points per game while playing 34.7 minutes per night. He pulls down 5.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is at 81%.

Player Spotlight

Robert Covington averages 12.4 points per game and he sees the court an average of 30.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 6.6 rebounds per contest and 1.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is 80%. James Harden averages 34.3 points per game while playing 36.5 minutes per contest. He grabs 6.6 rebounds per game and has 7.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 87%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Thunder allow 108.4 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 7th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 10th and 3rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.8 rebounds a game which ranks 13th, and they give up 23.0 assists per contest which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 14.2 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the league. Oklahoma City averages 110.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.0 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 10th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 18th in the league. They average 42.9 rebounds per game and 21.7 assists per contest, which ranks them 23rd and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 25th with 13.7 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Rockets surrender 114.8 points per contest, which ranks them 23rd in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 14th and 7th in those defensive statistics. They rank 23rd with 25.3 assists allowed per contest, and 30th with 47.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Rockets are 28th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.2 per game. Houston is 2nd in the league with 117.8 points per game this year. They are 22nd in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 3.0. They shoot 35% from 3-point range, which is good for 24th in the NBA. They are 18th in the league in rebounding with 44.3 boards per game and 29th in assists per contest with 21.6. The Rockets are 16th in turnovers per game with 14.7.

Advanced Statistics

The Thunder are 16th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.8, and their defensive rating of 108.8 is ranked 7th. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 98.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 18th. As a team they are 9th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 25th in the league. Oklahoma City is 22nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 22nd in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Houston is 20th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 17th in the NBA. The Rockets are 6th in the league in defensive rating with 110.1, and their offensive rating of 112.9 is ranked 14th. They are 2nd in the NBA in pace with 103.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 7th. As a unit they are 5th in the league in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 50% of their shot attempts, ranking 1st in the NBA.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Oklahoma City +1.5

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