The Oklahoma City Thunder (30-20) will try to prolong their eight-game winning streak against the Washington Wizards (27-22) at Capital One Arena. The game can be seen on Fox SportsNet Oklahoma at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 30, 2018.
Oklahoma City opened as a 3.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 219.5 points.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Washington Wizards Free Prediction
The last time the Thunder played, they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 122-112. Oklahoma City’s 8.7 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Philadelphia, who had a rate of 13.5. The Thunder’s mark was better than their season average of 12.2. Oklahoma City rallied around Russell Westbrook, who was the game’s leading scorer with 37 points on 14-for-33 shooting.
The Wizards dismantled the Atlanta Hawks in their last matchup, 129-104. Washington made 18 of their 32 three pointers (56.3 percent). Atlanta, on the other hand, did a great job of making free throws (16-21; 76.2 percent). Markieff Morris was the top scorer from either team with 23 points on 9-for-12 shooting.
This has potential to be a sloppy game for the offense of Washington. Washington ranks 13th in the league in ball protection (turnover percentage of 13.8 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Oklahoma City forces the second-most turnovers in the NBA (15.7 percent). Also, the Thunder are among the NBA’s elite on the offensive backboards, ranking first in offensive rebounding percentage (28.4 percent). The Wizards, meanwhile, rank 22nd in defensive rebounding percentage (76.3 percent).
Oklahoma City has a respectable 30-20 straight up (SU) record, but they are just 21-28-1 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Thunder’s games have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Washington is 27-22 SU and 21-28 ATS. Similarly to Oklahoma City, Wizards games have finished under the total 53.1 percent of the time.
Paul George and Steven Adams have played well over the last five games for Oklahoma City. George has averaged 24.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. Not to be outdone, Adams has recorded 15.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals a game during that span.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Wizards lost 121-112, unable to cover as 5.5-point underdogs. Bradley Beal recorded 41 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. The game finished with a total of 233 points, which was 19 points above the projected point total of 214 points. The Thunder made 22 of their 29 free throws (75.9 percent) and had a much better turnover percentage (12.3 vs. 19.8).
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Washington Wizards Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Thunder, ATS Winner – Wizards, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Oklahoma City is 10-14 ATS on the road with 13 unders and 11 overs.
At home, Washington is 8-16 ATS with 12 overs, 10 unders and 2 pushes.
Washington is 13-2 when they hold opponents below 100 points, while Oklahoma City is 17-5.
When scoring above 100 points, the Wizards are 24-11 and the Thunder are 26-9.
Oklahoma City averages 15.1 second chance points per game, which ranks first in the NBA. Washington ranks 29th in second chance points allowed per game (13.8).
The Wizards rank eighth in assists per game (23.5) while the Thunder rank 26th (21.0).
Oklahoma City ranks second in rebounds allowed per game (41.0) while Washington ranks 17th (43.6).
The Thunder rank first in steals per game (9.4) while the Wizards rank 14th (7.8).
Oklahoma City ranks fifth in points allowed in the paint per game (41.8) while Washington ranks 18th (45.0).
The Thunder rank first in points off turnovers per game (18.7) while the Wizards rank 14th in points off turnovers allowed per game (16.0).
Oklahoma City ranks fifth in fast break points per game (14.2) while Washington ranks 12th (11.4).
The Thunder rank 14th in three pointers attempted per game (29.0) while the Wizards rank 19th in three pointers allowed per game (29.5).
Oklahoma City averages 5.0 blocks per game, which ranks 10th in the NBA. Washington ranks 14th in blocks allowed per game (4.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Oklahoma City is 4-1 ATS with 5 overs.
Washington is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Thunder’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 11.4, up from 4.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wizards have scored an average of 109.4 points per game (2.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 113.6 points per game (8.0 above their season average).
