Oklahoma City at Toronto – Battle of Superstars

Oklahoma City Thunder (20-51 SU, 41-29-1 ATS) at Toronto Raptors (26-45 SU, 26-42-3 ATS)

BetOnline NBA Odds: TORONTO -5.5, Total 202

Here are some of the NBA pro basketball sports betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

* OKC has covered two of its last six games

* OKC has lost five of its last seven games SU

* OKC has played its last six games UNDER the total

* OKC has covered five of its last seven road games

* OKC has lost 20 of its last 25 road games SU

* OKC has played four of its last six road games UNDER the total

* TOR has covered three of its last 12 games

* TOR has lost nine of its last 12 games SU

* TOR has played 10 of its last 13 games OVER the total

Also…

* OKC has covered the last five meetings

* OKC has won 11 of the last 15 meetings SU

* Six of the last seven meetings have gone OVER the total

* OKC has covered seven of the last eight meetings as the road team

* Four of the last five meetings in Toronto have gone OVER the total

* OKC has had the shooting edge in six of the last seven meetings

* OKC has had the rebounding edge in five of the last six meetings

Statistically speaking, Oklahoma City ranks as one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA, allowing 47.5% shooting on the part of opponents. The Thunder haven’t scored 100 points in any of the last 13 games, yet they’ve covered seven of them. That’s because coach Scott Brooks has the Thunder being more conscientious on the defensive end. That was part of the rationale behind the acquisition of Thabo Sefalosha, who has helped change the mindset a little.

Toronto has covered less than a third of its games this season. With a 13-20-2 ATS record at the Air Canada Centre, they don’t have very much of a home court advantage. They’re trying to turn that around, with spirited play in the last outings – first a 100-76 win over the L.A. Clippers, then a 115-106 victory over Milwaukee where they found the long-range shooting eye, sinking a dozen three-pointers.

In the previous meeting, on December 19, the Thunder won a 91-83 decision where the Raptors couldn’t find the net, making just 36% of their shots. This time around there is a bit of off-the-court news, as Chris Bosh has been accused of being a ":deadbeat dad" by walking out on his girlfriend, who is seven months pregnant. He’s been served with court papers, and claims ""I love my daughter. Of course I am financially supporting her." That didn’t seem to bother him very much against Milwaukee, as he recorded a double-double.

If Toronto wins this game, it will equal its longest winning streak of the season (three games). They can’t stand success. They are 5-8 ATS when laying more than three points. Oklahoma City hasn’t been too bad as a road dog (20-12 ATS). There’s a bit of revenge angle here, though; about the previous defeat, Anthony Parker says, "It was a tough loss for us, no doubt. That was the kind of game you get calls from your family and friends afterwards wondering what happened. It definitely stands out."

We’ll lay the points with the Raptors, the 5.5-point favorite in the BetOnline NBA betting odds.

JAY’S PLAY: TORONTO -5.5 **

(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)