76ers vs Thunder Prediction
The Philadelphia 76ers invade the Paycom Center to battle the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night. Hear's our 76ers vs Thunder prediction.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers have been in a rut as they've lost four of their last six games overall and they will be hoping to avoid a third straight defeat after getting routed by the Timberwolves in a 112-99 road loss on Wednesday. Tyrese Maxey, De'Anthony Melton and Marcus Morris all scored 16 points each while Tobias Harris chipped in with 15 points. As a team, the 76ers shot just 39 percent from the field and seven of 32 from the 3-point line as they struggled to keep up from the start, getting outscored by 37-20 to have them trailing for the rest of the game. Joel Embiid was rested for this game and the Timberwolves just showed no mercy as the 76ers trailed by as many as 21 points in this one.
Philadelphia 76ers Player Facts
- Tyrese Maxey ranks 4th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for points per game (26.3) this season.
- Tobias Harris ranks 6th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (90.0%) this season.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been in red-hot form as they've won eight of their last nine games overall and they will be hoping to build on their current six-game win streak after routing the Bulls in a 116-102 win on Wednesday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 40 points and 12 assists on 11 of 19 shooting from the field, Isaiah Joe added 20 points on six of nine shooting off the bench while Chet Holmgren chipped in with 18 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks. As a team, the Thunder shot 49 percent from the field and 11 of 29 from the 3-point line, but this win was more about hteir defense as they were always in control after restricting the shorthanded Bulls to just 14 points in the first quarter.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ranks 1st amongst qualified players for steals per game (2.4) this season.
- Chet Holmgren ranks T1st amongst qualified Centers for 3P% (43.4%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+9.1).
- The Thunder rank 30th in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (7.5).
- The 76ers rank 1st in the league for free throws made per game this season (23.5).
- The 76ers rank 1st in the league for Q3 win percentage this season (73.3%).
Peter's Pick
The 76ers are expecting to have Joel Embiid back in the lineup, while the Thunder are keeping an eye on Lindy Waters who is listed as questionable for this one. The 76ers will be eager to get back in the win column with Embiid back in the lineup and I'm not surprised that they are slight favorites on the road, but the Thunder have quietly been one of the hottest teams in the league and I think they represent decent value as the home underdogs in this spot.
