The Brooklyn Nets (8-17) will try to snap their seven-game losing streak when they clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder (15-7) at Barclays Center. The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 5, 2018, and will air on YES Network.
Oklahoma City opened as a 7-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 217.5 points.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Brooklyn Nets ATS Prediction
The Thunder come in on a high note after easily covering the 2-point spread against the Detroit Pistons in their last contest, 110-83. The game’s combined points (193) were well under the projected point total of 218. Oklahoma City’s 0.547 effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over Detroit, who had a mark of 0.362. The Thunder’s mark was above their season average of 0.503, while the Pistons’ was below their season average of 0.499. Paul George had a good game for Oklahoma City, contributing 17 points and 10 rebounds.
In the Nets’ previous game, they let one slip away to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 99-97, despite being 6-point favorites. The game’s combined points (196) came in under the projected point total of 210. Converting at the free throw line was one of Cleveland’s biggest advantages. They were 19-20 (95.0 percent), while the Nets were just 9-16 (56.3 percent). Brooklyn’s D’Angelo Russell had a solid game, leading both teams in scoring with 30 points on 13-for-31 shooting.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will battle for the first time this year. In the most recent game, the Thunder won 109-108. The Thunder had a much better turnover percentage (3.6 vs. 11.8) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (30.2 vs. 19.0).
Oklahoma City holds records of 15-7 straight up (SU) and 14-8 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to place the total high when the Thunder are involved, as 13 of their 22 games have gone under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn owns records of 8-17 SU and 10-15 ATS. Just over half of Nets games have also finished under the total.
The offense of Brooklyn will go head-to-head against the stingy defense of Oklahoma City. The Nets rank 16th in offensive efficiency, while the Thunder are first in defensive efficiency. The Thunder should have the edge on that end of the court. Furthermore, the Thunder are among the NBA’s elite on the offensive backboards, ranking second in offensive rebounding percentage (27.4 percent). The Nets, meanwhile, rank 27th at grabbing defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 74.6 percent.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Brooklyn Nets Odds Pick
NBA Prediction: SU Winner – Thunder, ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Under
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Betting Notes:
Oklahoma City is 7-3 ATS on the road with 8 unders and 2 overs.
At home, Brooklyn is 3-9 ATS with 7 overs and 5 unders.
Brooklyn is 4-1 when they allow below 100 points, while Oklahoma City is 5-0.
When reaching the century mark, the Thunder are 13-3 and the Nets are 8-13.
Oklahoma City averages 16.0 second chance points per game, which ranks second in the league. Brooklyn ranks 28th in second chance points allowed per game (15.7).
The Thunder rank first in points off turnovers per game (21.8) while the Nets rank 26th (14.9).
Oklahoma City ranks first in steals per game (10.4) while Brooklyn ranks 25th (6.7).
The Thunder rank sixth in fast break points per game (15.5) while the Nets rank 28th (9.1).
Oklahoma City ranks ninth in blocks per game (5.8) while Brooklyn ranks 27th (4.0).
The Thunder average 48.59090909090909 rebounds per game, which ranks 3 in the league. The Nets rank 20 in rebounds allowed per game (45.96).
Brooklyn ranks 5 in three pointers attempted per game (34.8) while Oklahoma City ranks 14 (31.681818181818183).
The Nets rank 1 in assists allowed per game (20.92) while the Thunder rank 10 (23.272727272727273).
Oklahoma City ranks 8 in points in the paint per game (51.90909090909091) while Brooklyn ranks 16 in points allowed in the paint per game (49.2).
Bettings Trends:
In its last five contests, Oklahoma City is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Brooklyn is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Thunder’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 11.4, up from 7.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Nets have scored an average of 105.2 points per game (3.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 112.0 points per game (1.0 above their season average).
*****
