Free NBA Pick: Thunder vs. Wizards NBA Odds
Looking for OKC Thunder vs. Washington Wizards free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Thunder taking on the Wizards on Wednesday, November 16th, 2022 at Capital One Arena. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Thunder Wizards matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(6-8) OKC Thunder vs. Washington Wizards (8-6)
Date: Wednesday, November 16th
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Venue: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
NBA Moneyline Odds: Thunder +165 | Wizards -233 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Wizards -5
NBA Betting Total: 225.5
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Wednesday, November 16th, finds the OKC Thunder and Washington Wizards playing for the first of two meetings this season. OKC will host on January 6th.
OKC arrives having last completed a back-to-back featuring a massive shooting display Sunday in their 145-135 win versus the Knicks and a battle Monday that resulted in a heartbreaking clutch time 122-126 loss to the Celtics.
Meanwhile, the Wizards continued their winning ways defeating the shorthanded Grizzlies 102-92 on Sunday.
Last season, the squads played twice with Washington winning both contests and holding a current four-game win streak over OKC. The Thunder hold the all-time record having bested the Wizards in 74 of their 141 matches.
OKC Thunder
So much for the tank! While the assumption was the OKC Thunder were just going to work on developing their young roster as they compiled a slew of losses, apparently, someone forgot to tell the players.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been nothing short of spectacular but he’s finally getting some support. Through the early season, the Thunder were focused on defense and SGA’s scoring but something happened a week ago that awoke their offense.
They’ve played four games in that time span accumulating 531 points with only one of those contests extending into overtime. That’s 132.7 points per game for those wanting more specific math.
Moreover, they didn’t have this offensive breakout against poor defensive teams – rather it occurred against the Bucks, Raptors, Knicks, and Celtics — all teams considered to be in the upper half defensively.
Part of their opponents’ struggles is trying to stop the Thunder from charging into the paint. Mark Daigneault has his team in constant motion. A couple of players space the floor by lining up behind the 3-point line while the others make cuts providing a driving target.
Even the players camped out behind the arc aren’t glued to their spots as they might suddenly be the cutter and this is making life difficult for opponents who also have to be in constant motion.
It’s clearly paying huge dividends for the Thunder who averaged 64.5 points in the paint in the above four matches and not surprisingly lead the league in PIP scoring with 57.4 points.
Proving how effective this Thunder offensive scheme is working – the Celtics (8th), Raptors (9th), and Bucks (10th) rank top 10 for limiting opponent paint scoring (Knicks are 13th).
Darius Bazley (ankle) and Tre Mann (back) were both downgraded to out Wednesday. Chet Holmgren (Lisfranc fracture) is out for the season.
Washington Wizards
Like the Thunder, the Wizards had a stellar week winning all four of their games (Hornets, Mavericks, Jazz, Grizzlies). That opponent list looks impressive on paper but dive a little deeper and it’s partially a matter of good timing.
The Mavericks were playing the second game of a back-to-back set with Luka looking fatigued, and while the Wizards were playing their own B2B versus the Grizzlies they didn’t have Ja Morant or Desmond Bane.
The past week’s successes for Wes Unseld’s group were based on defensive prowess as they held the quartet of opponents to an average of 102.5 points per game.
This could open a can of worms in regard with Bradley Beal’s return (he missed all four games). Per John Schuhmann, the Wizards allow 12.0 additional points per 100 possessions with Beal on the court.
That essentially erases the advantage they gained that led to the victories. So, the obvious question is if the losses increase with his return will that spark any trade talk in the Wizards’ war room? I wonder.
Bradley Beal (conditioning), and Taj Gibson (neck) were both upgraded to probable for Wednesday. Delon Wright (hamstring) is out indefinitely.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Oklahoma City is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against Washington.
- The Wizards are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 8 of Oklahoma City’s last 10 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 13 of Washington’s last 19 games at home.
Free OKC Thunder vs. Washington Wizards NBA Prediction:
The Wizards are among the better paint defenders allowing the fifth-fewest opponent PIP. But will they be as effective in that area if Beal is back on the court?
Ultimately, that will be the deciding factor in this match — will the Thunder continue to feast in the paint or will the Wizards prevail by stopping their drives?
Not sure if the oddsmakers are paying enough attention to the Thunder and yes I know the Wizards have played better lately but I’m more impressed by the Thunder’s uptick offensively than the Wizards beating lower tier and undermanned squads.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Thunder +5
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