The Oklahoma City Thunder (16-15), 2.5-point underdogs, will travel to Scotiabank Arena to challenge the Toronto Raptors (22-10). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 212.5 points and it will air on CTV Sportsnet Toronto at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 29, 2019.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Toronto Raptors Betting Odds
Both teams covered as favorites in their last game. The Raptors (4-point favorites) defeated the Boston Celtics 113-97, while the Thunder (1-point favorites) beat the Charlotte Hornets 104-102. The Toronto game finished 4.5 points under the projected point total of 214.5, while the Oklahoma City game went 0.5 points under the projected point total of 206.5.
Oklahoma City played a nearly perfect game. They had a free throw rate of 0.213 (matching their season average) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.478 (below their season average of 0.530). Charlotte was 0.109 and 0.450, respectively, for those same stats. The Raptors, on the other hand, had an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 38.5 (above their season average of 21.4) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.607 (above their season average of 0.525). Toronto was led by Kyle Lowry, who had 30 points and seven assists. Meanwhile, Steven Adams fueled Oklahoma City with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
This series was highly contested last year. Each won one of the two games played against each other last season. The Thunder won the last contest 116-109. Oklahoma City had a much better turnover percentage (10.7 vs. 19.4). Toronto, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of converting from the charity stripe (18-21; 85.7 percent). This will be the first contest of the year between these two teams.
Vegas has a tendency to set the total high when the Thunder are playing, as 18 of their 31 contests have gone under the total. Oklahoma City heads into the contest with records of 16-15 straight up (SU) and 18-12-1 against the spread (ATS).
In opposition of Oklahoma City, Raptors games have gone over the total 54.8 percent of the time. Additionally, Toronto owns records of 22-10 SU and 17-14 ATS.
The Thunder’s Dennis Schroder has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 24 points,5.4 assists per game. Meanwhile, Lowry has averaged 24 points,9.2 assists,6.4 rebounds,1.2 steals during that same time frame for the Raptors.
The offense of Oklahoma City will face off against the stingy defense of Toronto. The Thunder rank 15th in offensive efficiency, while the Raptors are second in defensive efficiency. The Raptors figure to have the advantage on that end of the court.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Toronto Raptors Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Raptors, ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Raptors rank third in steals per game (8.5) while the Thunder rank 18th (7.6).
- Toronto ranks first in fast break points per game (18.8) while Oklahoma City ranks last (8.6).
- The Thunder rank seventh in second chance points allowed per game (12.2) while the Raptors rank 26th (14.4).
- Toronto ranks fourth in points allowed in the paint per game (42.8) while Oklahoma City ranks 22nd (50.4).
- Toronto ranks second in points off turnovers per game (19.6) while Oklahoma City ranks 19th (16.8).
- The Thunder rank second in three pointers allowed per game (30.5) while the Raptors rank last (38.7).
- The Raptors rank eighth in rebounds per game (46.3) while the Thunder rank 26th (42.5).
- Oklahoma City ranks fifth in blocks allowed per game (4.4) while Toronto ranks 20th (5.4).
- Oklahoma City ranks sixth in assists allowed per game (22.9) while Toronto ranks 26th (25.5).
- Toronto is 10-1 when they allow below 100 points, while Oklahoma City is 5-3.
- When scoring above 100 points, the Thunder are 16-8 and the Raptors are 20-8.
- Oklahoma City is 9-5 ATS on the road, while Toronto is 10-7 ATS at home.
- The total has gone under in 9 of the Thunder’s 14 road games, while 12 of the Raptors’ 17 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Thunder are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Raptors are 2-3.
- In their last five games, Oklahoma City has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Toronto has 4 overs and 1 under.
- During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 114.2 points per game (5.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 110.8 points per game (3.0 above their season average).
- The Raptors’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.4, down from 5.3 for the season.