Raptors vs Thunder Pick – NBA Predictions & Odds 3/16/23

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Toronto Raptors meet Thursday in NBA action at the Scotiabank Arena. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 117.9 points on 46.8 percent shooting and allowing 116.2 points on 47 percent shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.3 points and 5.6 assists, while Josh Giddey is averaging 16.2 points and 6.2 assists. Luguentz Dort is the third double-digit scorer and Jalen Williams is grabbing 4.3 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 36 percent from beyond the arc and 80.4 percent from the free throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 35.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.8 rebounds per game.

The Toronto Raptors are averaging 112.6 points on 45.6 percent shooting and allowing 112.1 points on 49.3 percent shooting. Pascal Siakam is averaging 24.2 points and 7.6 rebounds, while Fred VanVleet is averaging 19.4 points and 4.2 rebounds. Gary Trent Jr. is the third double-digit scorer and O.G. Anunoby is grabbing 5.2 rebounds. The Toronto Raptors are shooting 33.8 percent from beyond the arc and 78.4 percent from the free throw line. The Toronto Raptors are allowing 37.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42.7 rebounds per game.

The Thunder are 46-22-3 ATS in their last 71 road games and 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Raptors are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games. The over is 7-3-1 in Thunder last 11 overall. The over is 5-1 in Raptors last 6 overall. The Thunder are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Toronto.

The Toronto Raptors are probably the better team and them being at home matters, but I’m not eager to lay decent sized chalk with them against anybody. The Raptors are inconsistent as all hell, and they win as favorites by an average of 2.1 points. OKC has been covering machines on the road dating back to last season. Give me the points.