The Toronto Raptors travel to the Paycom Center to do battle with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night. Here’s a Thunder vs Raptors Prediction. This article will include a Thunder vs Raptors Pick.
Toronto Raptors Betting Preview
The Toronto Raptors have been in pretty good form lately and they will be gunning for a fourth straight victory after blowing past the red-hot Trail Blazers in a 110-98 road win on Friday. Sandro Mamukelashvili led the team with 22 points with six rebounds and four assists on nine of 15 shooting, Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley each scored 20 points while Scottie Barnes chipped in with 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists. As a team, the Raptors shot 53 percent from the field and nine of 29 from the 3-point line as they played great defense to limit the Trail Blazers to just 12 points in the first quarter. However, this was a closely contested battle until the fourth quarter where the Raptors exploded for 34 points to win comfortably in the end.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been on a tear as they’ve won seven of their last nine games overall. They will be eager to bounce back in this one after coming up just short to the Pacers in a 117-114 loss on Friday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 47 points on 17 of 28 shooting, Chet Holmgren added 25 points with 13 rebounds and three blocks while Kenrich Williams chipped in with 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists. As a team, the Thunder shot 49 percent from the field and seven of 26 from the 3-point line as they stormed out of the gates with 39 points in the first quarter to take a 17-point lead. This gave them just enough of a cushion to hold off a rally from the Thunder who cut the lead to just one point with 7.8 seconds left on the clock.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 11 games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Raptors have lost 16 of their last 18 road games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in seven of their last eight home games against Atlantic Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Raptors have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games as road underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
Why the Toronto Raptors will win
- The Raptors have won each of their last three games as road underdogs against the Thunder following a win.
- The Thunder have lost four of their last six games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents following a loss.
- The Raptors have covered the spread in each of their last nine games as road underdogs against Northwest Division opponents following a win.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Thunder’s last eight games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Eight of the Raptors’ last nine games at Paycom Center have gone OVER the total points line.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has recorded 44 games with 3+ assists this season – equal-most of any player in the league.
- Chet Holmgren is one of only two players to have made 9+ field goals without a miss in a game this season.
Toronto Raptors Player Facts
- Scottie Barnes is the only player in the league to have recorded 25+ rebounds in a game this season.
- Sandro Mamukelashvili ranks 8th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FG% (53.0%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for points per game this season (121.3).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent points per game this season (108.0).
- The Raptors rank 1st for fast break points (903) this season.
- The Raptors rank 1st for fast break points per game (19.2) this season.
Thunder vs Raptors Prediction
The Raptors are still missing Jakob Poeltl with Immanuel Quickley, Ja’Kobe Walter and Collin Murray-Boyles who are all questionable, while the Thunder have ruled out Ajay Mitchell, Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein. The Raptors are coming into this contest with plenty of confidence, but they are going to have to be at their best against the Thunder who are looking to bounce back from a rare defeat. It’s hard to picture anything but a comfortable win for the Thunder, but I still think the Raptors can hang around and get the cover in the end.