Tuesday’s NBA slate begins with a cross-conference battle in the nation’s capital. The Washington Wizards host the Oklahoma City Thunder at Capital One Arena. Washington is 20-20 this season, with OKC bringing a 13-26 record into this contest. Kenrich Williams (protocols) and Isaiah Roby (protocols) are out for the Thunder. Thomas Bryant (knee) and Anthony Gill (protocols) are out for the Wizards.
Tipoff is at 7 p.m. ET in Washington. Caesars Sportsbook lists Washington as the 9.5-point favorites at home, while the Over-Under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 216.5 in the latest Thunder vs. Wizards odds. Before locking in any Wizards vs. Thunder picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model entered Week 13 of the 2021-22 NBA season on a stunning 52-28 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning almost $2,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Wizards vs. Thunder, and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Now, here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Thunder vs. Wizards:
- Thunder vs. Wizards spread: Wizards -9.5
- Thunder vs. Wizards over-under: 216.5 points
- OKC: The Thunder are 11-7 against the spread in road games
- WASH: The Wizards are 11-6 against the spread in home games
Why the Thunder can cover
Oklahoma City’s defense is impressive in several categories. The Thunder are allowing only 18.4 free-throw attempts per game, ranking in the top five of the NBA, and Oklahoma City is No. 2 in the league in fast-break points allowed (9.0 per game). Opponents are shooting only 44.3 percent from the field and 51.1 percent from 2-point range against Oklahoma City, and the Thunder are securing 73.5 percent of available defensive rebounds after forcing a missed shot.
The Thunder also protect the paint well, giving up only 43.8 points in the paint per game, and Oklahoma City should also benefit from Washington’s shortcomings. The Wizards are dead-last in the NBA in 3-pointers, making only 10.1 per game, and Washington is No. 27 in 3-point accuracy. On the other end, the Wizards are dead-last in steals, with bottom-five marks in free-throw prevention and turnover creation. Oklahoma City commits only 13.6 turnovers per game, an above-average mark for ball security.
Why the Wizards can cover
Washington is the more talented and established team in this matchup, and that advantage shows up in the statistical profile. The Wizards rank in the top eight of the NBA in several offensive categories, including field-goal percentage (46.5 percent), 2-point percentage (54.4 percent) and free-throw attempts (22.0 per game). Washington commits only 13.4 turnovers per game, and the Wizards are averaging 50.9 points in the paint per game, the third-best figure in the NBA. On defense, Washington is elite in preventing transition opportunities, leading the NBA in allowing only 8.4 fast-break points per game.
The Wizards are also near the top of the league in 3-pointers allowed (10.8 per game) and assists allowed (22.8 per game), with Washington set to benefit from Oklahoma City’s offensive weaknesses. The Thunder are last in the NBA in offensive efficiency, field- goal percentage, 3-point percentage, true shooting percentage and assists this season, with Oklahoma City also creating only 19.4 free-throw attempts per game.
How to make Thunder vs. Wizards picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning under on the total, projecting 206 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in 70 percent of simulations. You can only see the model’s pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Wizards vs. Thunder? And which side of the spread hits in almost 70 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
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