The Oklahoma City Thunder (29-20) put their seven-game winning streak on the line when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers (24-21) at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The game starts at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 28, 2018, and will air on ESPN.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 213 points with Oklahoma City set as a 4-point favorite.
Philadelphia 76ers at Oklahoma City Thunder ATS Prediction
In the 76ers’ last game, they blew out the San Antonio Spurs, 97-78. The 76ers held the Spurs to an offensive rebounding percentage of 11.6 (below their season average of 23.2) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.420 (below their season average of 0.509). Joel Embiid played well for Philadelphia, finishing with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
The Thunder were victorious over the Detroit Pistons in their last contest, 121-108. Oklahoma City’s turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Detroit. The Thunder had a rate of 8.0 (better than their season average of 12.3), while the Pistons posted a mark of 14.5. With 31 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, Russell Westbrook led the way for Oklahoma City with his 14th triple-double of the year.
This has potential to be an error-filled game for the offense of Philadelphia. Philadelphia ranks 30th in the NBA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 16.9 percent), while the pesky defense of Oklahoma City forces the most turnovers in the NBA (15.7 percent).
Philadelphia heads into the contest with records of 24-21 straight up (SU) and 26-19 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the 76ers’ games have finished over the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City owns records of 29-20 SU and 19-28-1 ATS. Games involving the Thunder have typically finished under the total (56.3 percent).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Dario Saric (16.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals) has been fantastic for the 76ers while Steven Adams (15.4 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals) has made solid contributions to the Thunder.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the 76ers lost 119-117, unable to cover as 1.5-point favorites. Embiid led both teams with 34 points and also had eight rebounds and six assists. The game finished with a total of 236 points, which was 23 points above the projected point total of 213 points. Oklahoma City out-rebounded Philadelphia. The Thunder had 18 offensive rebounds and 60 total rebounds, while the 76ers had seven and 50, respectively.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder ATS Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – 76ers, ATS Winner – 76ers, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Philadelphia is 13-11 ATS with 14 overs and 10 unders.
At home, Oklahoma City is 10-14-1 ATS with 14 unders and 11 overs.
Philadelphia is 9-0 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Oklahoma City is 17-5.
The 76ers are 21-14 when they reach 100 points, while the Thunder are 25-9.
Oklahoma City ranks first in steals per game (9.5) while Philadelphia ranks 29th in steals allowed per game (9.2).
The Thunder rank third in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.2) while the 76ers rank last (19.5).
Philadelphia ranks third in assists per game (25.8) while Oklahoma City ranks 26th (21.0).
The Thunder average 15.0 second chance points per game, which ranks first in the league. The 76ers rank 19th in second chance points allowed per game (12.8).
Oklahoma City ranks fourth in fast break points per game (14.2) while Philadelphia ranks 19th (10.0).
The Thunder average 5.0 blocks per game, which ranks 11th in the league. The 76ers rank 24th in blocks allowed per game (5.3).
Philadelphia averages 29.0 three pointers per game, which ranks 15th in the NBA. Oklahoma City ranks 23rd in three pointers allowed per game (30.6).
The 76ers rank first in rebounds per game (47.4) while the Thunder rank seventh (44.8).
Philadelphia is third in the league with 41.4 points allowed in the paint per game while Oklahoma City is fourth with 41.8 points allowed in the paint per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Philadelphia is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Oklahoma City is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The 76ers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.0, up from 1.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 122.6 points per game (16.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 108.4 points per game (6.6 above their season average).
