Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers Betting Prediction 03/14/19

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The league’s top scoring defense will be a 1-point favorite at home in Bankers Life Fieldhouse, when the Indiana Pacers (43-25) clash with the Oklahoma City Thunder (42-26). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 222 points and it will air on Fox Sports Midwest – Indiana at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 14, 2019.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers ATS Odds

In the Thunder’s last game, they comfortably covered the 4-point spread against the Brooklyn Nets, 108-96. The Pacers, meanwhile, topped the New York Knicks,103-98, but failed to cover as 11-point favorites. The Oklahoma City game went 22 points under the projected point total of 226, while the Indiana game finished 7.5 points under the projected point total of 208.5.

Oklahoma City played a nearly perfect game. They had a great offensive rebounding percentage of 30.8 (above their season average of 25.6) and a turnover percentage of 9.5 (better than their season average of 11.6). Brooklyn had marks of 16.7 and 14.8, respectively, for those same stats. The Pacers, on the other hand, forced 20 turnovers and had a free throw rate of 0.247 (above their season average of 0.181). Indiana received a boost from Darren Collison, who recorded 16 points, nine assists and five rebounds. Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook played an enormous role in the victory for Oklahoma City, accumulating 31 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists on his way to his 25th triple-double of the season.

The Thunder dominated this series last year, taking both games. In the last game, Oklahoma City won 100-95. Oklahoma City’s free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Indiana. The Thunder had a rate of 0.170, while the Pacers posted a mark of 0.045. This is the first time these teams will meet this year.

Thunder games have a slight tendency to finish under the total (50.7 percent). Oklahoma City heads into the game with records of 42-26 straight up (SU) and 35-32 against the spread (ATS).

Pacers games have typically gone under the total (58.8 percent). Further, Indiana is 43-25 SU and 33-34-1 ATS.

This meeting figures to be low-scoring as two of the NBA’s best defenses clash. Indiana currently ranks third in defensive efficiency (104.2) and Oklahoma City is fourth (104.7). It will also be a matchup of contrasting styles as the fast-paced Thunder rank second in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Pacers rank 26th.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana Pacers ATS Pick

Prediction: SU Winner – Thunder, ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • The Pacers rank third in points off turnovers allowed per game (14.9) while the Thunder rank 11th (15.9).
  • Oklahoma City ranks second in rebounds per game (48.2) while Indiana ranks 24th (43.1).
  • The Thunder rank 15th in three pointers attempted per game (31.5) while the Pacers rank 28th (25.6).
  • Oklahoma City ranks third in second chance points per game (15.2) while Indiana ranks 15th (13.3).
  • Indiana averages 26.0 assists per game, which ranks seventh in the league. Oklahoma City ranks 18th in assists allowed per game (24.8).
  • The Pacers rank third in steals per game (8.9) while the Thunder rank 21st in steals allowed per game (8.2).
  • The Thunder rank fifth in fast break points per game (18.4) while the Pacers rank 16th in fast break points allowed per game (13.8).
  • Oklahoma City ranks 12th in blocks per game (5.3) while Indiana ranks 15th in blocks allowed per game (5.1).
  • Oklahoma City ranks fifth in points in the paint per game (52.4) while Indiana ranks 19th (48.1).
  • Oklahoma City is 10-0 when they allow below 100 points, while Indiana is 23-3.
  • When reaching 100 points, the Pacers are 38-13 and the Thunder are 38-20.
  • Indiana is 20-15 ATS at home, while Oklahoma City is 19-17 ATS on the road.
  • The total has gone under in 21 of the Thunder’s 36 road games, while 24 of the Pacers’ 35 home games have gone under.

Bettings Trends:

  • The Thunder are 2-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Pacers are 1-4.
  • In their last five games, Oklahoma City has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Indiana has 4 unders and 1 over.
  • During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 113.0 points per game (2.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 111.0 points per game (0.1 above their season average).
  • The Pacers have been outscored by an average of 5.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Indiana has defeated opponents by an average of 4.3 points.