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Toronto-Raptors vs Oklahoma City Thunder December 5th 2024
At 7:30 ET, the Thunder (-441) will take on the Raptors (+342) in a non-conference matchup. The over/under line for the game is set at 226.5.
Oklahoma City is currently 1st in the Western Conference with a record of 16-5, while Toronto is 12th in the East at 7-15. The Raptors are riding a two-game win streak and are 9.5-point underdogs at home.
Thunder vs. Raptors Key Information
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Oklahoma City Thunder at Toronto Raptors
- Where: Toronto at Scotiabank Arena
- Date: Thursday, December 5th
- Betting Odds OKC -9.5, OKC -441 | TOR +342 O/U 226.5
The Thunder Can Win If…
The Thunder improved to 16-5 on the season with a dominant 133-106 win over the Jazz on Tuesday. Playing at home, Oklahoma City entered the game as -13.5 point favorites and covered the spread. The total points for the game were 239, exceeding the O/U line of 224.
A key moment came when the Thunder went on a 16-0 run, breaking a 25-25 tie and taking control with a 41-25 lead. They outscored the Jazz 40-25 in the 3rd quarter, and the teams played evenly in the 4th, each scoring 31 points.
Jalen Williams led the Thunder to a 133-106 win over the Jazz, scoring 28 points and dishing out 5 assists while shooting 66.7% from the field. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 26 points and 7 assists, and Isaiah Joe contributed 19 points, knocking down 5 threes at a 55.6% rate.
Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander each scored 15 points in the 3rd quarter, while Aaron Wiggins added 14 of his 16 points in the 4th. The Thunder hit 17 threes as a team, shooting 36.2% from deep and 52% overall.
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Even with a below-average defensive performance, the Thunder held the Jazz to 106 points on Tuesday, giving up 25 points in each of the first three quarters and 31 in the 4th. Oklahoma City allowed Utah to shoot 54% from the field.
From beyond the arc, the Jazz hit 13 threes at a 37% clip. The Thunder sent Utah to the line 22 times, where they made 17 free throws. Oklahoma City finished with 18 steals and 3 blocks.
- Through their last five road games, Oklahoma City has an ATS record of just 2-3. However, their overall record was 3-2 while averaging 111 points per game.
- Through their last three games as the favorite, the Thunder have an ATS record of 2-1 and a straight up mark of 2-1.
- Over their last five games, the Thunder have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.
The Raptors Can Win If…
The Raptors improved to 7-15 on the season with a 122-111 win over the Pacers on Tuesday. Toronto, who were +2.5 point underdogs, covered the spread with the win. The combined score of 233 points fell just short of the 236.5-point O/U line.
A key moment in the game came when Toronto went on a 12-0 run, stretching the score from 31-23 to 43-23. The Pacers fought back, outscoring the Raptors 36-28 in the 3rd quarter, but Toronto held on in the 4th, winning the final quarter 29-27.
Scottie Barnes led the Raptors to a win over the Pacers on Tuesday, scoring 35 points and dishing out 9 assists, shooting 65% from the field and hitting 3 threes. RJ Barrett added 29 points and 9 rebounds, while Jakob Poeltl contributed 17 points and 10 boards, shooting 70%.
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The Raptors shot 54.3% as a team, making 13 threes at a 39.4% clip. Barnes scored 13 points in the 3rd quarter, while Poeltl added 9 of his 17 in the 4th.
Defensively, the Raptors were solid in the 1st and 2nd quarters, giving up 23 and 25 points, respectively. They struggled in the 3rd, allowing 36 points, but tightened up in the 4th, holding the Pacers to 27 points in their 122-111 win.
Toronto allowed Indiana to shoot 45% from the field and 40% from deep, with the Pacers hitting 12 threes. The Raptors sent Indiana to the line 28 times, where they made 23 free throws. Toronto finished with 36 defensive rebounds, gave up 9 offensive boards, and recorded 9 steals and 4 blocks.
- Although Toronto has a straight up record of 1-9 in their last ten home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 5-5. The team averaged 107 points per game in these games.
- Toronto has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS in their last three games.
- In their last five games, the Raptors have an over/under record of 2-3 and are 4-1 vs. the spread.
The Lean
As the underdogs with a spread of +9.5, we recommend going with the Raptors on the point spread. We not only see them covering the spread but also have a strong likelihood of winning this one outright, especially if you’re seeking a higher payout on the moneyline.
Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 226.5 and given that our model is projecting 237 points between the teams, we like the over.
Raptors Soaring at Home Entering Clash with Thunder
The Toronto Raptors aim to extend their home winning streak to five games when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night.
Raptors Rolling at Home
Toronto (7-15) has thrived on home court, with their latest win coming in a 122-111 triumph over the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. Scottie Barnes led the way with a career-high 35 points, while RJ Barrett added 29. Jakob Poeltl contributed his 13th double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
The Raptors shot 54.3 percent from the field and demonstrated improved execution in the game’s final minutes after watching their 24-point, third-quarter lead shrink to just two points in the fourth.
“I thought our execution down the stretch in the last four to five minutes was really, really good,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “I think we’re getting better in that aspect.”
Barnes noted the team’s focus on tightening up defensively in the fourth quarter: “We did a great job locking in, getting stops, the stops that were really needed.”
However, turnovers remain a concern. Toronto committed 21 giveaways against Indiana, an issue they will need to address against Oklahoma City’s swarming defense.
Thunder Riding Momentum
Oklahoma City (15-6) enters the game on a hot streak, winning five of their last six outings. On Tuesday, the Thunder overwhelmed the Utah Jazz 133-106, capitalizing on Utah’s 29 turnovers to generate 45 points.
Jalen Williams scored 28 points and added three steals, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander chipped in 26 points and three steals. Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace also tallied three steals each, part of the Thunder’s impressive 18-steal performance.
“We just played with great looseness — in a good way,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “Sharing the ball and feeding off each other’s energy.”
The Thunder have thrived on the road this season, boasting a 7-3 record away from home. Their ability to disrupt opposing offenses and create transition opportunities has been key to their success.
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Matchup to Watch
Toronto will need to clean up its ball-handling against Oklahoma City’s aggressive defense. The Thunder’s defensive energy has been a game-changer, with players like Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander anchoring their efforts. Conversely, the Raptors will look to Barnes and Barrett to set the offensive tone while minimizing turnovers.
Key Storylines
- Home Dominance vs. Road Success: The Raptors are 6-4 at home but just 1-11 on the road, while the Thunder excel on the road with a 7-3 record.
- Turnover Battle: Oklahoma City thrives on forcing turnovers, while Toronto struggled with giveaways in their last game.
- Barnes vs. Gilgeous-Alexander: A duel of two emerging stars could define the game’s outcome.
Oklahoma City won both matchups against Toronto last season, including a thrilling overtime victory. The Raptors will aim to turn the tide and maintain their home-court dominance, while the Thunder look to continue their impressive road form.
