The home team has won four straight matchups between these two clubs and seven of the last eight dating all the way back to 2011. With a dynamic 25-5 home record this season, the Thunder appear well positioned to kick off the second half in the win column.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
Given the Thunders’ dominance at home, Oklahoma City figures to open as the decided favorite in this tilt with the Pacers. The total should also be quite high with the nation’s second best offensive club hosting another strong offense.
Remember, the under is 6-2 in the Thunder’s last eight games so keep tabs on the total and, if it’s too inflated, don’t be afraid of taking the over despite the Thunders’ elite offense.
WHEN THE INDIANA PACERS ARE ON OFFENSE
It’ll be up to the Pacers to try and create opportunities against a strong rebounding team in the Thunder.
Overall, Indiana is a top-10 offense, averaging 102.5 PPG and shooting a respectable, although not overly impressive, 44.7 percent from the floor.
Oklahoma City is holding the opposition to a lower shooting percentage than that at just 43.8 percent, a mark that has them ranked sixth in the NBA.
For the Pacers to succeed, they’ll need forward Paul George to matchup with Kevin Durant point for point and they’ll look for Monta Ellis and George Hill as a tandem to outperform Russell Westbrook.
While the Thunder can lean on a couple of players, the Pacers will need production from everybody. After all, they have eight players scoring at least 8.4 PPG. Despite the balance, the Pacers have a bit of a hit-or-miss offense with George adding the only consistency.
To cover the spread on Friday, the Pacers will need offense and plenty of it. You can bank on the Thunder scoring in bunches. Keep a close eye on the shots Indiana is getting early and whether or not they’re falling. If Indiana is sinking close to fifty percent of its shots, back the Pacers and the over in live betting all the way through.
WHEN THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER ARE ON OFFENSE
The Thunder have scored at least 106 in 12 straight games and 99 or more in their last 24 games played.
Overall, Oklahoma City ranks second in the NBA, behind only the Golden State Warriors, in scoring. The team’s scoring 110.1 PPG and shooting 47.6 percent from the floor while also ranking second in the NBA in rebounds with 47.7 per game.
The Pacers’ defense is strong, ranking in the top-10 in the NBA, but even some of the leagues’ best defenses have struggled to control the duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
No other team in the sport can boast two of the top-7 scorers in the league.
Durant leads the team inside while Westbrook controls the perimeter. With 27.7 PPG and a 50.8 percent shooting percentage on field goals, Durant is third in the NBA in scoring. He’s also the team’s leading rebounder with 7.9 RPG. Westbrook, meanwhile, has 24.1 PPG and is also just behind Durant in rebounds with 7.6, an elite number for a guard. Westbrook also boasts 10 APG and for the second straight year he was crowned All-Star Game MVP.
Perhaps even more intimidating about the Thunder offense is that there’s more behind these two superstars. Forward Serge Ibaka along with centers Enes Kanter and Steven Adams are each strong rebounders in their own right and solid shooters inside.
BETTING TRENDS AND MATCHUPS
The matchup of the game is between the small forwards: Durant and George. Of course, we know both players will get their points, but if one can get the better of the other, that opens things up for that team.
While the Durant/George showdown will be fun to watch, the production in the backcourt may be more important. Westbrook gives the Thunder a clear advantage as the Pacers don’t have a counter. However, Ellis and Hill are a strong one-two punch as a tandem, but they’ll need to keep pace with Westbrook and Dion Waiters.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder game is scheduled for Friday, February 19, 2016, at 8 p.m. ET at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
