Oklahoma City Thunder odds line spread pick predictions best bets

The Oklahoma City Thunder (14-33) host the Indiana Pacers (17-32) Friday at the Paycom Center for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we look at the Pacers vs. Thunder odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.

Indiana lost its third straight game in a 158-126 beatdown at home administered by the Charlotte Hornets Wednesday. The Pacers are 2-5 straight-up (SU) and 3-3-1 against the spread (ATS) over the past two weeks.

OKC rallied back from a 28-point deficit to push as a 1-point home underdog in a 111-110 loss to the Chicago Bulls Monday. Since Jan. 15, the Thunder are 0-6 SU and 2-2-2 ATS.

Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NBA January 28 breakdown

Pacers at Thunder odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:05 p.m. ET.

Money line: Pacers -117 (bet $117 to win $100) | Thunder -103 (bet $103 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Pacers -1.5 (-107) | Thunder +1.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 219.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

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Pacers at Thunder key injuries

Pacers

PG Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles) out
PG T.J. McConnell (wrist) out
PF Domantas Sabonis (ankle) questionable
C Myles Turner (foot) out

Thunder

None

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Pacers at Thunder odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Thunder 111, Pacers 105

Money line

SPRINKLE on the THUNDER (-103) because the Pacers are missing their best two defensive guards in Brogdon and McConnell.

Oklahoma City PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be the best player on the floor Friday. He should have his way against an Indiana team that ranks 23rd in adjusted-defensive rating, according to CleaningTheGlass.com (CTG).

The Thunder chuck the eighth-most 3-pointers per game and the Pacers are 21st in defensive 3-point shooting percentage. OKC’s 3-point defense is slightly below-average, but Indiana is 21st in 3-point percentage.

I prefer OKC plus the points, but the THUNDER (-103) are the right side in this one.

Against the spread

BET 1 unit on the THUNDER +1.5 (-115) as this is an awesome spot for them for a bunch of trendy reasons.

OKC is 16-6 ATS versus teams below-.500 (7-2 at home) and 5-2-2 ATS in its last nine games.

The Thunder are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 home games and ninth in ATS margin versus bottom-10 teams by adjusted-net rating (plus-3.6).

While the Thunder are bad, they are healthy, better rested and last played Monday, while the Pacers last played Wednesday. Well, OKC is 6-3-2 ATS when playing with a rest advantage (plus-3.4 ATS margin).

If Sabonis plays Friday, then Indiana will be a bigger favorite. The Pacers are an NBA-worst 0-7 ATS as road favorites with a minus-11.5 ATS margin.

Finally, this THUNDER +1.5 (-115) BET is also a fade against the Pacers, who are 3-6-1 ATS versus teams below-.500 on the road.

Over/Under

PASS with a slight “lean” to the Under 219.5 (-112).

Both teams play at a below-average pace with below-average, effective field-goal shooting.

The Thunder are 3-8 O/U with a rest advantage and 10-13 O/U at home while the Pacers are 9-15 O/U on the road.

However, neither team plays good defense, both have a high 3-point attempt rate and my prediction isn’t much below the projected total.

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The Chicago Bulls (28-17) stop by Paycom Center Monday for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off with the Oklahoma City Thunder (14-32). Below, we look at the Bulls vs. Thunder odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.

Chicago has lost six of its past seven games, going 3-4 against the spread (ATS) including two straight road games at the Milwaukee Bucks Friday and at the Orlando Magic Sunday. The Bulls are 26-19 ATS and 22-22-1 Over/Under (O/U).

The Thunder just wrapped a four-game road trip and have lost 10 of their last 11 games including five straight (2-2-1 ATS). OKC’s latest outing was a 94-87 loss at the Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday. The Thunder are 29-16-1 ATS and 18-28 O/U.

Bulls at Thunder odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:26 p.m. ET.

Money line: Bulls -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Thunder +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
Against the spread (ATS): Bulls -1.5 (-115) | Thunder +1.5 (-107)
Over/Under (O/U): 216.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

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Bulls at Thunder key injuries

Bulls (not officially submitted)

SG Zach LaVine (knee) questionable
PG Lonzo Ball (knee) out
SG Alex Caruso (wrist) out

Thunder

None.

Bulls at Thunder odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Thunder 108, Bulls 105

Money line

The oddsmakers are screaming at bettors to take the Bulls (-130) at this price, which is part of the reason I’m SPRINKLING on the THUNDER (+105).

Considering Chicago’s place in the standings and LaVine’s possible return, this seems like the oddsmakers are laying a trap. However, this is a much better spot for the Thunder.

Thunder PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander balled out versus the Bulls last season. Shai averaged 27.0 points per game (PPG) on 70.7% true shooting (.639/.500/1.000) with 5.5 assists in two meetings in 2020-21.

The absences of Ball and Caruso means Shai is essentially facing the same Chicago backcourt that he dominated last season.

SPRINKLE on the THUNDER (+105) since OKC plus the points is the much sharper play and I’d wait closer to tip-off before placing a wager.

Against the spread

Definitely BET the THUNDER +1.5 (-107) heavier than or instead of their money line because this is a much better spot for the Thunder.

OKC is 13-6-1 ATS as a home underdog, 6-3-1 ATS at home versus teams above-.500, 6-3-1 ATS when playing with a rest advantage and 10-4-1 ATS versus Eastern Conference teams.

On the other hand, Chicago is 3-5 ATS when playing with a rest disadvantage and 5-5 ATS on the road versus teams with a losing record.

Both teams have been playing terribly lately hence the tight odds but the Bulls haven’t been meeting expectations whereas the Thunder have.

Chicago is 29th in adjusted net rating at minus-8.0 but 28th in ATS margin at minus-4.2 over the last two weeks, according to CleaningTheGlass.com (CTG), while OKC is 28th in adjusted net rating at minus-7.3 but 10th in ATS margin at plus-2.1 across that same span.

The THUNDER +1.5 (-107) is my favorite wager in this game but, again, I’d wait until closer to tip-off to get a better price.