The Oklahoma City Thunder (20-9) and their second-ranked offense welcome the Chicago Bulls (15-11) and their second-ranked defense. Action begins at 2:30 pm ET on Friday, Dec. 25 and can be seen on ABC, C+ and C+D.
The Thunder enter this game hoping for similar success after dismantling the Lakers 120-85 on Wednesday. Russell Westbrook was the game’s leading scorer with 23 points on 10-for-19 shooting. The Bulls, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their close 105-102 loss against the Nets on Monday. Jimmy Butler had a game-high 24 points.
Pau Gasol has been hot for the Bulls, averaging 18.2 points, 11.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.8 blocks over the past five games.
This showdown pits one of the league’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses, as Oklahoma City currently ranks second in the NBA in offensive efficiency and Chicago is second in defensive efficiency.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Bulls winning the first matchup 104-98. In the loss, Kevin Durant led all scorers on the team with 33 points.
This one isn’t expected to be close when the Thunder, a substantial eight-point favorite, take on the Bulls. The Over/Under (O/U) is sitting at 206 points for this matchup. The Thunder come into this game 20-9 Straight Up (SU) and 13-16 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 6-7 SU and 4-9 ATS against the Eastern Conference. The Thunder have no trouble scoring as they rank third in the league in home offense with 106.3 points per game. Oklahoma City’s defense can be considered one of the best in the league. The Thunder allow a .426 opponent field-goal percentage, one of the lowest shooting rates in the league. Opponents have consistently had their shots rejected by the Thunder, who rank second in the league in blocks per game with 6.7.
Over on the other bench, the Bulls have a record of 9-17 ATS and 15-11 SU. Chicago has not performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 3-7 record. The Chicago defense has been a problem for competitors, allowing only 7.0 field goals from three-point range per game.
Chicago beat Oklahoma City in their most recent meeting this season, but the win was not enough to overtake Oklahoma City in the most recent head-to-head series. Its record is now 3-7 SU over the last 10 meetings. Furthermore, the Thunder hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – OKC, ATS Winner – OKC, O/U – Under
Notes
Oklahoma City is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Oklahoma City’s last 8 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oklahoma City’s last 5 games at home.
Oklahoma City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
Oklahoma City is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Chicago.
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Oklahoma City’s last 13 games when playing Chicago.
Oklahoma City is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago.
Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Oklahoma City.
On average, Chicago puts up 100.4 points per game (ranked 20th), while Oklahoma City gives up 99.0 points per game (ranked eighth).
Chicago scores 99.8 points per away game, ranking 14th in the league. Oklahoma City allows just 96.3 points per home game (ranked fifth).
In its last game, Chicago lost by a margin of three points. Oklahoma City is 4-2 in games decided by three points or less. Chicago has a 4-3 record in close games.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Chicago Bulls are a fantastic 14-1. In games where they score fewer than 100 points, the Oklahoma City Thunder have a poor record of 2-5.
When allowing 100 or more points in a game, the Bulls are just 1-10 this season. Oklahoma City is a stellar 18-4 when registering triple digits.
The Bulls have an offensive rating of 99.1 (ranked 27th), while the Thunder rank seventh for their defensive rating of 99.2.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have one of the best field goal percentages this season, ranking third in the league with a FG% of 47.5%. When their opponents record a similar or higher FG%, the Chicago Bulls are winless with a 0-3 record.
In comparison to the rest of the league, the Oklahoma City Thunder see similar results in both field goal percentage and effective field goal percentage, ranking third for both metrics. The Chicago Bulls also rank the same for both FG% and EFF%, coming in at 28th.
Oklahoma City makes an average of 21.3 assists per game (ranked 17th). Chicago ranks higher in assists with 22.7 (ranked 10th).
With 6.7 blocks per game, the Oklahoma City Thunder rank second in the league. The Chicago Bulls are in the top half of NBA teams for blocking, ranking fifth with 6.1 blocks per game.
Oklahoma City ranks among the best in the league in offensive rebounding at second, while Chicago ranks first in defensive rebounds.
Chicago makes an average of 6.6 steals per game. Oklahoma City has a solid 20-8 record when it gives up at least 6 steals.
