The Oklahoma City Thunder roll into Atlanta tonight on an offensive hot streak. OKC has scored an average of 128.7 points per game in its last three and an average of 117 points per game in January. The Thunder are 8.5-point favorites at State Farm Arena with the total at 233.
- The Thunder are 21-8 ATS in their last 29 games vs the Hawks.
- The total has gone OVER in the Thunder’s last four games vs the Hawks (avg. combined score: 228.5).
- The total has gone UNDER in four of the Thunder’s last five games on the road (avg. combined score: 231.2).
Paul George is Leading The Way
Ninth-year small forward Paul George is a career 19.2 points per game player but is crushing that average this season with 26.7 PPG and he’s been better again in January at 28.2 PPG. This is a welcome support for superstar Russell Westbrook, who has averaged a triple-double this month with 23.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 12.8 assists per game.
Hawks Have the No. 30 Scoring Defense
The high-scoring Thunder will be quite happy to run their offense against the No. 30 scoring defense in the NBA. Granted, the Hawks have had some better results lately, but they are still surrendering 116.3 points per game.
With one day off between games this season, the Hawks are 9-20 SU and allowing 119.4 points per game while scoring 110.5.
The Hawks are also dealing with injury troubles coming into tonight’s contest as leading scorer John Collins (probable) left Sunday’s game with an ankle injury, Taurean Prince is doubtful with an illness, Dewayne Dedmon is doubtful with an ankle injury and Kent Bazemore remains out with the ankle injury he suffered at the end of December.
My Best Bet for Tonight
I like the Thunder to cover the spread on the road tonight. OKC has been scoring in bunches and an already weak Atlanta team is hobbling into this game and will be relying on depth that just isn’t there. We are seeing about 60 percent of the action on OKC this afternoon, so this line may get higher. I’ll be locking in early.
