Both teams will attempt to prolong their winning streaks as the Toronto Raptors (52-17) go head-to-head against the Oklahoma City Thunder (42-29) at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors have won their last 11 games, while the Thunder have won five consecutive games. The game will air on Fox SportsNet Oklahoma at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 18, 2018.
Toronto opened as a 6.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 217 points.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Toronto Raptors Betting Prediction
In the Thunder’s last outing, they topped the Los Angeles Clippers, 121-113. Oklahoma City forced the Clippers into a turnover percentage of 17.9 (above their season average of 12.7). Los Angeles, meanwhile, did an excellent job of making free throws (18-23; 78.3 percent). Steven Adams played well for Oklahoma City, recording 18 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks.
The Raptors beat the Dallas Mavericks in their last game, 122-115. Toronto was successful at getting and making free throws. The Raptors made 26 of their 31 free throws (83.9 percent), while the Mavericks were 13-18 (72.2 percent). With 21 points and 12 rebounds, Jonas Valanciunas had a good game for Toronto.
Ball protection could play an integral role in this battle. Toronto commits the fourth-fewest miscues in the league (turnover percentage of 12.6 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Oklahoma City forces the most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 15.3 percent).
Oklahoma City heads into the game with records of 42-29 straight up (SU) and 29-41-1 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Thunder’s games have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Toronto is 52-17 SU and 40-29 ATS. Unlike Oklahoma City, just over half of Raptors games have finished over the O/U total.
Valanciunas has averaged 17.4 points, 12.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks over the last five games for Toronto.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Russell Westbrook put up 30 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds in the first matchup, in which the Thunder defeated the Raptors 124-107, covering as 3.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 231 points, which was 21.5 points above the projected point total of 209.5 points. Oklahoma City had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (35.7 vs. 15.9). Toronto, meanwhile, did an excellent job of getting and making free throws (24-26; 92.3 percent).
Oklahoma City Thunder at Toronto Raptors Free Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Oklahoma City is 14-21 ATS on the road with 18 unders and 17 overs.
At home, Toronto is 19-15 ATS with 18 unders and 16 overs.
Toronto is 24-5 when they allow less than 100 points, while Oklahoma City is 20-5.
When scoring more than 100 points, the Raptors are 49-10 and the Thunder are 38-15.
Oklahoma City averages 15.1 second chance points per game, which ranks first in the league. Toronto ranks 24th in second chance points allowed per game (13.2).
The Raptors rank fifth in assists per game (23.9) while the Thunder rank 27th (21.4).
Toronto ranks second in three pointers allowed per game (25.1) while Oklahoma City ranks 23rd (30.5).
The Thunder average 14.9 fast break points per game, which ranks third in the NBA. The Raptors rank 16th in fast break points allowed per game (11.8).
Toronto ranks fourth in steals allowed per game (7.0) while Oklahoma City ranks 15th (7.7).
The Raptors rank second in blocks per game (6.0) while the Thunder rank 13th in blocks allowed per game (4.7).
Oklahoma City ranks fifth in rebounds per game (44.9) while Toronto ranks 14th (44.0).
The Thunder average 44.1 points in the paint per game, which ranks 14th in the NBA. The Raptors rank 18th in points allowed in the paint per game (45.2).
Oklahoma City averages 18.7 points off turnovers per game, which ranks first in the league. Toronto ranks fifth in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Oklahoma City is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Toronto is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Thunder’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.6, up from 3.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Raptors have scored an average of 116.8 points per game (4.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 105.4 points per game (1.9 above their season average).
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