Check out our free 76ers vs Thunder pick and preview for this NBA game in Oklahoma City. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.
76ers vs Thunder NBA Pick & Preview
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Philadelphia 76ers at Oklahoma City Thunder
- Where: Oklahoma City at Paycom Center
- Date: Saturday, December 31st
- Betting Odds OKC +4.5, PHI -195 | OKC +157 O/U 231.5
So far, the 76ers have put together an overall record of 20-14, while going 19-14-1 vs the spread. The 76ers head into today’s action in the midst of a 2 game losing streak. This has come while posting an average scoring margin of -8.0.
Not only did the 76ers drop their last game to the Pelicans. But they also picked up an ATS loss, as they fell by a score of 127-116 as 0 point underdogs. In the defeat, Philadelphia did not outscore the Pelicans in a single quarter. Leading the team in scoring was Joel Embiid, as he contributed 37 points while hitting 63.6% of his shots.
So far, the Thunder have put together an overall record of 15-20, while going 21-14-0 vs the spread. Against the spread, Oklahoma City has a mark of 1-2. Straight up, their record is 1-2 in these games.
Oklahoma City is trying to bounce back from a 121-113 loss to the Hornets. Going into this game, the team was 2 point underdogs on the spread, giving them an ATS loss. Oklahoma City let an opportunity for a win slip away as they held a lead going into the 2nd half of action. Leading the team in scoring was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as he contributed 28 points while hitting 47.8% of his shots.
Head To Head Recap & Stats
Last season, the 76ers and Thunder played 2 games against each other, with Philadelphia coming away with a win in each game. In game 1, they won by a score of 115-103, while adding a 115-100 victory in game 2. Similar to their season-long average, the 76ers averaged 107.5 points per game vs the Thunder. While the 76ers were able to maintain their usual level of production against Oklahoma City, the Thunder averaged fewer points per game in the series, at 95.0. The ATS record across the previous 5 head-to-head meetings is 3-2 in favor of the 76ers. In these matchups, Philadelphia has averaged 114 points per game, while allowing 97. A combined average of 211 points per game was achieved in these matchups, leading to an over-under mark of 2-3.
Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game
Through 34 games, Philadelphia is averaging 111.8 points per game (21st). The 76ers come into the game as one of the league’s better 3-point shooting teams, connecting at a rate of 12.6 made 3’s per game. Despite shooting the ball well from outside, Philadelphia has not done a good job taking care of the ball. So far, they are averaging 13.9 turnovers per game.
Defensively, the 76ers are one of the top performing units in the league, giving up 107.33 points per contest (8th).
This season, the 76ers offense has primarily worked through Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris who are 1st and 2nd on the team in scoring. In his 26 games, Embiid is 1st in the NBA at 33.8 points per game. So far, him and Harris have accounted for 41% of the team’s field goal attempts while combining to average 50.3 points per contest. In addition to sitting 2nd on the team in scoring, Tobias Harris is grabbing 6.1 rebounds for Philadelphia to go along with 2.7 assists.
Oklahoma City will look to continue with their strong offensive play, as they are averaging 115.7 points per game (8th). So far, Oklahoma City is averaging 102.7 possessions per game, making them one of the more up-tempo teams in the league. Although the team is playing at an up-tempo speed, they would benefit from scoring with more efficiency, as they are just 22nd in the league in overall field goal percentage at 52.4%.
On defense, the Thunder will look for some improved play, as they are currently the 15th ranked unit in points allowed per game.
Point-Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander currently leads the Thunder at 31.4 points per game. For the season, he is 8th in the NBA in usage rate and has taken 22.4% of the team’s field goal attempts. In addition to his scoring, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 4.8 boards and 5.8 assists per contest. In today’s game, he is facing off against the NBA’s 1st ranked defense at defending point-guards. Luguentz Dort enters the game sitting second on the team in scoring. Through 34 games, he is averaging 13.9 and is 295th in the league in player efficiency rating.
76ers vs Thunder Pick
- Free Spread Prediction: 76ers -4.5
- Free Total Prediction: Over 231.5
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