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Oklahoma City hosts Atlanta Friday night
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox
Published: 3/20/2015  at  10:07:00 AM
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ATLANTA HAWKS (53-15)

at OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (38-30)

Tip-off: Friday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: N/A, Total: N/A

The Atlanta Hawks finish off their six-game road trip with a visit to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder on Friday night.

Atlanta has been absolutely tremendous this year and is 10-4 SU (6-7-1 ATS) since the All-Star break; including winning three of the first five games on this road trip. Each of its past six contests have been against Western Conference opponents and the team has struggled on defense in that time, allowing 101.7 PPG and giving up better than 50% shooting twice. It was a battle of number one teams when the Hawks went to Golden State as 7-point underdogs most recently and barely even competed in a 114-95 loss. They made a meager 35.6% of their shots in the defeat and let the top offense in the league make 44-of-84 attempts (52% FG) in the game. The Thunder have also been playing some solid basketball lately, going 6-3 SU (4-5 ATS) in the month of March. They’ve put up 112.3 PPG over that period but have also been Swiss cheese on defense with the opponent getting 109.7 PPG in the same games. Another high-scoring battle ensued when the Celtics visited Oklahoma City on Wednesday in a 122-118 game that the Thunder won as 6.5-point favorites. They withstood Boston making 52.4% of its shots by forcing 20 turnovers and getting to the line 39 times, making 33 (85% FTM). Atlanta has been a great road team all year with a record of 23-11 SU (21-11-2 ATS) in away contests as it faces an OKC team that is 24-9 SU (19-14 ATS) at home. The Hawks handled the Thunder in the first matchup between these clubs this year, winning 103-93 as a 4-point favorite at home in late January. Atlanta made 48.2% of its field goal attempts and hit all 13 of its free-throws in that victory. It was a different story in the previous three meetings, though, with Oklahoma City winning each time by an average of 6.3 PPG and going 2-1 ATS. Trends show that the Hawks are 10-3 ATS (77%) after two consecutive Overs this season as the Thunder have gone 15-3 ATS (83%) after scoring 110 points on the year. Quite a few injuries could affect the outcome of this one as SG Kyle Korver (Nose) and PF Mike Scott (Toe) are out for the visitors while PF Serge Ibaka (Knee) and SF Kevin Durant (Foot) will miss the game with C Enes Kanter (Ankle) listed as doubtful for Oklahoma City.

Can the Hawks beat the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Friday? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2014-15 season. StatFox Forecaster has a strong 55% ATS record (178-148-2) in featured games this season. In terms of Best Bets, the experts have a huge 61% ATS (109-70-4) record since Feb. 1, led by StatFox Gary who has a stellar 61% ATS (33-21-1) mark in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 1, and is 58% ATS (59-43-1) this season. StatFox Scott is also sizzling with a 61% ATS record (38-24-1) in Best Bets since Dec. 21, improving his record to 56% ATS (57-45-1) for the season, and StatFox Brian has a lofty 60% ATS (18-12-1) mark in Best Bets since Feb. 4, and is now 56% ATS (57-44-1) in season Best Bets. StatFox Dave is a scorching 68% ATS (25-12) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 28, while StatFox Zach is a robust 65% ATS (36-19-1) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 2.

Atlanta’s offense has been impressive on the year as the team is scoring 102.5 PPG (10th in league) behind 46.5% shooting as a team (4th in league). The Hawks’ bread and butter is defense though, and they are giving up 96.8 PPG (4th in league) on 43.5% shooting (6th in league). PF Paul Millsap (16.9 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.7 SPG) has been solid over the recent road trip, playing in four of the five games, scoring 17.5 PPG (51% FG) to go with 8.3 RPG, 1.8 SPG and 1.3 BPG. He was a huge factor in the win over OKC this year with 22 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and two steals. PG Jeff Teague (16.6 PPG, 7.1 APG, 1.7 SPG) should be well rested after playing fewer than 30 minutes in four of his past five contests, netting single-digits three times. He had a typical performance when he last saw the Thunder with 17 points, nine assists and a steal. C Al Horford (15.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.3 BPG) is coming off a rough showing at Golden State, making a putrid 4-of-18 shots with eight points, six rebounds, two steals and a block and had a double-double (14 points, 12 rebounds) with three blocks against Oklahoma City.

The Thunder have continued to show impressive performances on the offensive end and rank eighth in the league in points scored (103.1 PPG) while shooting 44.5% as a team (12th-worst in league. Defensively they have given up 100.5 PPG (12th-worst in league) on 43% shooting (2nd in league). PG Russell Westbrook (27.6 PPG, 8.4 APG, 7.2 RPG, 2.2 SPG) has carried this team on his back recently with six triple-doubles in his past 11 outings, but also has seven or more turnovers in five of his past six games. He went for 22 points, 11 rebounds and three steals in the loss to the Hawks back in January. C Steven Adams (7.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.3 BPG) will play a much larger role with both Kanter and Ibaka out and has two double-doubles in his last three contests, averaging 14.3 PPG and 10.7 RPG in that time. Adams had nine points and seven rebounds in the one game against Atlanta this season. SG Dion Waiters (10.8 PPG, 1.1 SPG) has shot an anemic 32% from the field in his past five games, averaging 11.0 PPG over that period. He has seen the Hawks four times already this year with both Oklahoma City and Cleveland but has scored in double-digits just once and had eight points with three steals as a member of the Thunder against them.


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