Oklahoma City Thunder vs New York Knicks Predictions, Free NBA Picks 3/6/2020

Game: Oklahoma City Thunder vs New York Knicks

Date: Friday, March 6, 2020

Location: Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY

TV: MSG

Odds/Point Spread: Oklahoma City -7

Total/Over-Under: 218.5

Madison Square Garden is the venue where Julius Randle and the New York Knicks (19-43, 5th in the Atlantic Division) will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (38-24, 3rd in the Northwest Division) on Friday. New York opens this game as 7 point underdogs. The over/under is set at 218.5.

The Thunder cover 61.3% of the time, having gone 38-24-0 ATS. New York covers the spread 54.1% of the time, going 33-28-1 against the spread.

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

02/24/20 SG Andre Roberson Knee is out indefinitely
02/10/20 SF Darius Bazley Thumb is out indefinitely

Key New York Knicks Injuries

03/04/20 PG Dennis Smith Jr. Concussion is questionable Friday vs Oklahoma City

Player Spotlight

Chris Paul averages 17.5 points per game in 31.7 minutes per contest. He averages 6.7 assists per contest and 4.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 90%. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander comes into this contest averaging 19.3 points per game while playing 35.4 minutes per night. He pulls down 6.1 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 80%.

Player Spotlight

Elfrid Payton averages 9.8 points per game and he sees the court an average of 27.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.7 rebounds per contest and 7.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 55%. Julius Randle averages 19.4 points per game while playing 32.6 minutes per contest. He grabs 9.8 rebounds per game and has 3.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 72%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Thunder allow 108.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 10th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 13th and 7th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.3 rebounds a game which ranks 10th, and they give up 23.1 assists per contest which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 14.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 9th in the league. Oklahoma City averages 110.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 2.2 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 5th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 18th in the league. They average 42.8 rebounds per game and 21.9 assists per contest, which ranks them 25th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 25th with 13.5 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Knicks surrender 112.0 points per contest, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 18th and 29th in those defensive statistics. They rank 13th with 24.3 assists allowed per contest, and 11th with 44.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Knicks are 8th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.8 per game. New York is 29th in the league with 105.4 points per game this year. They are 25th in the league in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is -6.7. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 27th in the NBA. They are 7th in the league in rebounding with 46.6 boards per game and 27th in assists per contest with 21.9. The Knicks are 20th in turnovers per game with 14.4.

Advanced Statistics

The Thunder are 14th in the NBA in offensive rating with 111.5, and their defensive rating of 109.3 is ranked 10th. In terms of pace they are 23rd in the league with 98.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 9th. As a team they are 7th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% 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 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 20th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New York is 20th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 6th in the league. The Knicks are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.2, and their defensive rating of 112.9 is ranked 23rd. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 98.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 28th. As a team they are 30th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 28th in the league.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Oklahoma City -7

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