Thunder vs Raptors Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Thursday, March 16th

Check out our free Thunder vs Raptors pick and preview for this NBA game in Toronto. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.

Thunder vs Raptors NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: Oklahoma City Thunder at Toronto Raptors
Where: Toronto at Scotiabank Arena
Date: Thursday, March 16th
Betting Odds TOR -6, OKC +193 | TOR -235 O/U 230.5

So far, the Thunder have put together an overall record of 34-35, while going 42-26-1 vs the spread. Over the team’s 3 game win streak, they have an average scoring differential of 13.33 points per game.

In their previous game, the Thunder took down the Nets by a score of 121-107. Not only did they come away with a straight up win, but they also covered the spread as 1 point favorites. Oklahoma City was able to mount a big second half comeback in large part to a strong 3rd quarter. After trailing at the half by 10 points, they actually went into the final quarter with the lead. Leading the team in scoring was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as he contributed 35 points while hitting 50.0% of his shots.

The Raptors come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 33-36. So far, the team has gone 34-35-0 against the spread. Over the team’s past 3 games, Toronto has an overall record of 1-2, including going 1-2 against the spread.

Toronto is going for yet another win, as they previously defeated the Nuggets at home. With the 125-110 victory, they also covered the spread as 1 point underdogs. Toronto went on to win the game, as they led by 16 heading into halftime. In the win, Fred VanVleet led the team in scoring with 36 points on a field goal percentage of 59.1%.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

In the most recent matchup between the two teams, the Thunder picked up the win 132-113 win over the Raptors. Heading into the game, Oklahoma City was the 5.0 point underdogs, giving them an ATS win. This has been the only matchup between the two teams this season. Similar to their season-long average, the Thunder averaged 104.0 points per game vs the Raptors. Similar to the Thunder, the Raptors scored at a rate near the league average. In their games vs Oklahoma City, the team averaged 113.0 points per game. The level of competition has been tight in the 5 most recent games between Thunder and Raptors with just 1 points per game separating the teams. Oklahoma City has the ATS edge in this span at 3-2. Over the course of these games, they averaged 221 points per game, leading a 3-2 over-under record.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

Heading into play, the Thunder offense is rated 3rd in the league in scoring, averaging 117.9 points per contest. Coming into today’s game, the Thunder will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 12.3 made 3’s per game. Although Oklahoma City has struggled with their outside shot, they have done a good job taking care of the ball, averaging just 12.7 turnovers per game.

Against the Raptors, the Thunder will need a stronger defensive effort as they are ranked just 15th in points allowed.

On offense, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder in scoring at 31.3 points per game, placing him 5th in the NBA. Overall, Gilgeous-Alexander has hit 50.9% of his shots while accounting for 21.9% of the team’s looks from the field. In today’s game, he will be working against a defensive unit that is 23rd in points allowed to point-guards. At 16.2 points per game, Josh Giddey is the 2nd leading scorer for the Thunder. For the season, he is 97th in the league in player efficiency rating, while posting a field goal percentage of 48.3%.

For the season, the Raptors offensive unit is ranked just 23rd in scoring at 112.6 points per contest. Coming into today’s game, the Raptors will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 10.8 made 3’s per game. Not only is the Toronto offense struggling with their outside shot, but they are also getting to the charity stripe at a below average rate. So far, they are the 14th ranked team in made free-throws per contest.

Defensively, the Raptors are one of the top performing units in the league, giving up 107.1 points per contest (7th).

On offense, Pascal Siakam leads the Raptors in scoring at 24.2 points per game, placing him 25th in the NBA. Overall, Siakam has hit 47.2% of his shots while accounting for 20.5% of the team’s looks from the field. In today’s game, he will be working against a defensive unit that is 10th in points allowed to power-fowards. At 19.4 points per game, Fred VanVleet is the 2nd leading scorer for the Raptors. For the season, he is 107th in the league in player efficiency rating, while posting a field goal percentage of 39.5%.