The Oklahoma City Thunder (23-17) meet the Toronto Raptors (25-14) at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 15, 2020, and will air on The Sports Network.
Oklahoma City opened as a 2-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 213.5 points.
Toronto Raptors vs. Oklahoma City Thunder ATS Prediction
The Raptors failed to cover as 4.5-point favorites in their 105-104 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in their last outing. The combined points for the game (209) came in under the projected point total of 220. Getting to the charity stripe was one of San Antonio’s largest strengths. They had 30 free throw attempts, while Toronto had just 11. Serge Ibaka led Toronto in scoring with 21 points on 9-for-16 shooting.
In the Thunder’s last outing, they beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 117-104, easily covering as 2-point favorites. The game’s combined points (221) finished just over the O/U total of 218. The Thunder knocked down 23 of their 26 free throws (88.5 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.573 (above their season average of 0.524). With 20 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for Oklahoma City with his zeroth triple-double this year.
Oklahoma City might have trouble putting up points as they square off against one of the league’s best defenses. Toronto ranks second in defensive efficiency while the Thunder rank 14th in offensive efficiency.
Toronto heads into the contest with records of 25-14 straight up (SU) and 20-18-1 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the Raptors’ games have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City is 23-17 SU and 26-13-1 ATS. Of the Thunder’s 40 games, 23 have finished under the O/U total.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Ibaka (20 points,10.8 rebounds,1.2 blocks) has been fantastic for the Raptors while Steven Adams (14 points,13.0 rebounds,1.2 steals) has contributed greatly to the Thunder.
This is the second game of the season between these two squads. Chris Paul recorded 25 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in the first game, in which the Thunder, who were 5-point underdogs, defeated the Raptors 98-97. The game finished with a total of 195 points, which was 14 points below the projected point total of 209 points. Oklahoma City did an excellent job of converting from the charity stripe (20-23; 87.0 percent). Toronto, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (13.7 vs. 16.2).
Raptors vs. Thunder Betting Pick
Free NBA Tip: ATS Winner – Raptors, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
On the road, Toronto is 9-8-1 ATS with 11 unders and 7 overs.
Oklahoma City is 11-8-1 ATS at home with 11 unders and 9 overs.
In contests where they hold opponents under 100 points, Oklahoma City is 7-3 and Toronto is 11-3.
When scoring above 100 points, the Raptors are 23-9 and the Thunder are 22-10.
Toronto ranks third in fast break points per game (17.6) while Oklahoma City ranks last (9.3).
The Thunder rank fourth in three pointers allowed per game (31.6) while the Raptors rank 29th (38.1).
Oklahoma City ranks fifth in blocks allowed per game (4.2) while Toronto ranks 25th (5.6).
The Raptors rank second in points allowed in the paint per game (42.2) while the Thunder rank 22nd (49.5).
Toronto ranks second in points off turnovers per game (19.3) while Oklahoma City ranks 22nd (16.1).
The Thunder rank fourth in assists allowed per game (22.5) while the Raptors rank 23rd (25.0).
Oklahoma City ranks eighth in second chance points allowed per game (12.1) while Toronto ranks 25th (14.0).
The Thunder rank 11th in rebounds allowed per game (44.9) while the Raptors rank 26th (47.3).
Toronto ranks second in steals allowed per game (6.7) while Oklahoma City ranks fifth (6.8).
In its last five contests, Toronto is 1-3-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Oklahoma City is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Raptors’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.0, down from 5.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 112.8 points per game (3.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 108.8 points per game (1.5 above their season average).
