The Oklahoma City Thunder (16-15) will be at home in Chesapeake Energy Arena when they square off with the Atlanta Hawks (7-24). Oklahoma City is a 10.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 205 points. Action starts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, December 22, 2017, and it can be seen on Fox SportsNet Oklahoma.
Atlanta Hawks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Free Preview
The Hawks fell to the Indiana Pacers in their last game, 105-95. John Collins put together a solid game for Atlanta, leading the team in scoring with 18 points on 6-for-7 shooting. Indiana had a turnover percentage of 9.1 (better than their season average of 12.4). Atlanta, on the other hand, held the Pacers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 20.0 (below the 25.8 mark opponents have averaged against Atlanta this season).
In the Thunder’s last game, they blew out the Utah Jazz, 107-79. Oklahoma City received a boost from Russell Westbrook, who was the games leading scorer with 24 points on 10-for-13 shooting. The Thunder had a superb effective field goal percentage of 0.571 (above their season average of 0.494), while the Jazz had a turnover percentage of 17.5 (above their season average of 13.5).
Oklahoma City could own the offensive glass in this battle. The Thunder currently rank second in offensive rebounding percentage (26.8 percent), while Atlanta ranks 30th in defensive rebounding percentage (74.3 percent). Furthermore, the Hawks rank 23rd in turnover percentage (15.2 percent), while the Thunder rank first in opponents turnover percentage (17.0 percent).
Of Atlanta’s 31 games, 16 have finished over the projected point total, while 19 of Oklahoma City’s 31 games have finished under the projected point total. The Thunder hold the substantial advantage straight up (SU) (16-15 vs. 7-24), but the Hawks have the superior against the spread (ATS) record (16-14-1 vs. 10-20-1).
This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams, after splitting two games last season. The Hawks won the last game 110-108. Atlanta had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.607 vs. 0.506). Oklahoma City, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (33.3 vs. 14.7).
Atlanta Hawks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Thunder, ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Thunder rank 12th in rebounds per game (44.0) while the Hawks rank 28th (39.8).
- Oklahoma City averages 29.4 three pointers per game, which ranks 15th in the league. Atlanta ranks 28th in three pointers allowed per game (31.7).
- Oklahoma City averages 10.0 steals per game, which ranks first in the league. Atlanta ranks 16th in steals allowed per game (8.0).
- Oklahoma City averages 4.9 blocks per game, which ranks 13th in the league. Atlanta ranks 16th in blocks allowed per game (4.9).
- On the road, Atlanta is 9-6-1 ATS with 9 unders and 7 overs.
- At home, Oklahoma City is 6-8-1 ATS with 10 unders and 5 overs.
- In games where they allow less than 100 points, Oklahoma City is 12-4 and Atlanta is 1-3.
- The Hawks are 7-13 when they score more than 100 points, while the Thunder are 13-6.
- The Thunder rank third in points allowed in the paint per game (39.8) while the Hawks rank 18th (44.3).
- Oklahoma City ranks eighth in assists allowed per game (21.3) while Atlanta ranks last (25.7).
- The Thunder rank seventh in second chance points per game (14.0) while the Hawks rank 27th in second chance points allowed per game (14.0).
- The Thunder rank sixth in fast break points per game (14.0) while the Hawks rank 14th in fast break points allowed per game (11.1).
- Oklahoma City ranks second in points off turnovers per game (19.7) while Atlanta ranks 20th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.9).
Bettings Trends:
- Oklahoma City is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Atlanta is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Thunder’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.2, up from 2.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Hawks have scored an average of 100.8 points per game (2.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 106.6 points per game (1.8 below their season average).
