Thunder Against the Spread | OKC Favored by Double Digits at Home Against Sixers Missing Embiid

Tip-Off: 2:30 PM CT

Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

Spread: Thunder (-14.5)

Total: 225.5

Trends Against The Spread

Thunder	vs.	Sixers
16-15 (53%)	All	17-12 (58%)
9-7 (60%) at home	Location	9-3 (75%) on the road
16-15 (53%) as favorite	Status	8-6 (57%) as underdog
9-7 (60%) as home favorite	Location Status	4-2 (66%) as road underdog
0-0 (0%)	Head To Head	0-0 (0%)

Trends Against The Total

• Oklahoma City is 16-15 (51%) against the over on the season.
• Philadelphia is 14-15 (58%) against the over on the season.
• The Thunder is 8-8 (50%) against the over at home.
• The Sixers are 6-6 (50%) against the over on the road.

Team Stats

TEAM	PTS	PA	FG%	3P%	REB	AST	TOV	STL	BLK	STRK	L10
PHI	116.1	115.2	44.7	35.7	45.1	24.8	14.1	8.3	6.0	L2	6–4
OKC	121.3	107.4	49.0	36.9	44.7	25.8	12.5	10.3	5.3	L2	6-4

Injury Report

Thunder

• Ousmane Dieng (strained right calf) is OUT.
• Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) is OUT.
• Nikola Topic (surgical recovery) is OUT.
• Jaylin Williams (right heel bursitis) is OUT.

Sixers

• MarJon Beachamp (G League — two-way) is DOUBTFUL.
• Johni Broome (G League — on assignment) is DOUBTFUL.
• Joel Embiid (sprained right ankle and right knee injury management) is OUT.
• Paul George (left knee injury management) is PROBABLE.
• Kelly Oubre Jr. (sprained left knee) is OUT.
• Trendon Watford (strained left adductor) is OUT.

Series History

OKC went 2-0 against Philadelphia last season (1-0 at home, 1-0 on the road).

Why the Thunder Will Cover (-14.5)

This is a tough line. If it were closer to OKC by 10 or 11, I would feel a lot more comfortable, so call me a bit optimistic by taking the Thunder to win big. After the way they’ve played lately, it’s hard to tell just where they’re at mentally, but it would do them a lot of good to dominate at home, especially with the tough schedule ahead. The Thunder organization preaches a day-to-day approach—the “0-0 mentality”—and perhaps they should stick to that to forget about the 4 losses in the last 6 games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t just talk consistency; he truly is consistent, and so I think he will be the steadying force that this team needs to get back on track.

Why the Game Will NOT Hit the Over (225.5)

OKC’s offense struggled badly against the San Antonio Spurs in the last two games, and I am sure they will look a lot better against Philadelphia. At the same time, I think they come into the game with a sense of urgency on defense, which means a lower-scoring game, even if it does turn into a blowout. Tyrese Maxey will be a tough cover, but the Thunder backcourt needs to remind everyone that they still know how to defend tough guards. I’m taking the under, even if it is just barely.

Staff Picks

On the Season

Name	Moneyline	Spread	Over/Under
Matt	26-5	17-14	14-17
Zack	26-5	16-15	16-15
Craig	26-5	12-18-1	11-20