The Oklahoma City Thunder (21-12), 7-point favorites, will travel to Talking Stick Resort Arena to clash against the Phoenix Suns (9-26). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 223 points and it will air on Fox Sports – Arizona at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, December 28, 2018.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Odds
In the Suns’ last game, they barely escaped the Orlando Magic, 122-120, despite being 5.5-point underdogs. The Thunder, on the other hand, were beat by the Houston Rockets, 113-109, and were unable to cover as 1-point underdogs. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Phoenix game finished 30.5 points over the projected point total of 211.5, while the Oklahoma City game went 1 point over the projected point total of 221.
The Suns had a solid effective field goal percentage of 0.574 (above their season average of 0.512) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.2 (above their season average of 20.2). Oklahoma City, meanwhile, had a better free throw rate (0.143 vs. 0.113). Devin Booker had a solid performance for Phoenix, putting up 35 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City received a boost from Paul George, who had 28 points and 14 rebounds.
In their three contests this season, the Thunder have won all three. In their most recent game, the two teams combined to score 210 points, which was under the projected point total of 216.5. Oklahoma City won 110-100, covering as a 4.5-point favorite. Oklahoma City won the rebounding battle. The Thunder had 14 offensive rebounds and 52 total rebounds, while the Suns had four and 31, respectively. George recorded a double-double with 32 points and 11 rebounds.
Of the Thunder’s 33 games, 17 have finished under the total. Oklahoma City holds records of 21-12 straight up (SU) and 18-15 against the spread (ATS).
Games featuring the Suns have a tendency to go under the total (57.1 percent). Additionally, Phoenix is 9-26 SU and 16-19 ATS.
Both teams have had a couple of players take their game to the next level over their last five games. George (35 points,10.6 rebounds,5.2 assists,2.0 steals) and Jerami Grant (16 points,1.6 blocks) have been fantastic for the Thunder, while Deandre Ayton (23 points,15.6 rebounds) and Booker (30 points,8.0 assists) have contributed greatly to the Suns.
The inefficient offense of Phoenix (28th in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 102.2) will battle against the top-notch defense of Oklahoma City (first in the league with a defensive efficiency of 101.2). The Thunder figure to have the edge on that end of the court. Moreover, the Thunder rank first in offensive rebounding percentage (27.7 percent), while the Suns rank 27th in defensive rebounding percentage (74.7 percent).
Oklahoma City Thunder at Phoenix Suns Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Thunder, ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Oklahoma City ranks first in steals per game (10.4) while Phoenix ranks 29th in steals allowed per game (9.2).
- The Thunder average 53.3 points in the paint per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. The Suns rank 29th in points allowed in the paint per game (52.5).
- Oklahoma City ranks fourth in second chance points per game (15.1) while Phoenix ranks 28th (10.8).
- Oklahoma City ranks 6 in blocks per game (5.818181818181818) while Phoenix ranks 25 (4.628571428571429).
- The Thunder rank first in points off turnovers per game (21.0) while the Suns rank 29th in points off turnovers allowed per game (20.1).
- The Thunder average 16.78787878787879 fast break points per game, which ranks 6 in the league. The Suns rank 28 in fast break points allowed per game (16.228571428571428).
- Oklahoma City ranks second in rebounds per game (48.7) while Phoenix ranks 28th (41.4).
- Phoenix is 3-1 when they hold opponents under 100 points, while Oklahoma City is 6-0.
- In games where they reach 100 points, the Suns are 8-14 and the Thunder are 19-7.
- Phoenix is 8-8 ATS at home, while Oklahoma City is 9-8 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone under in 10 of the Suns’ 16 home games, while 11 of the Thunder’s 17 road games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Suns are 5-0 ATS over their last five games, while the Thunder are 3-2.
- In their last five games, Phoenix has 3 overs and 2 unders, while Oklahoma City has 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Suns have outscored opponents by an average of 3.4 points in their last five games. For the season, Phoenix has lost by an average of 8.5 points.
- During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 116.2 points per game (4.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 108.4 points per game (2.6 above their season average).
