OKC Thunder versus Raptors: the Canadian Bowl – preview

Key Stats:

In the big three statistical categories, the Raptors rank 13th (109.0) offensively, 21st defensively (109.2), and 18th for net differential with a minus -0.2 net rating.

While the Raptors are dealing with key injuries to their core the recent road trip helped them spend time figuring out the schemes particularly on defense. Case in point, back home in Toronto  with time to practice through the last four games they’ve had the fifth-best defense and held three of four opponents under 100 points.

More telling is the opponents they kept under the century mark. The trio of the Grizzlies (111.3), Bucks (110.5), and Wizards (105.3) were held to 98, 93, and 90 points. Considering OG Anunoby is their best defender and Khem Birch their best defensive big it bodes well for the Raptors once they return.

Obviously the Memphis match impacted the OKC Thunder big three categories most obviously dropping them from 14th to 23rd defensively (115.8). That 73 points hits the net differential the hardest and will take months to shift upward as they sit dead last (-16.4) and moved up to 29th offensively following the win in Detroit (99.4).

Scoring:

The Raptors score 104.8 per game ranking 23rd overall and allow opponents to score 105.1
which ranks ninth.

The OKC Thunder also saw their scoring stats impacted by the 73 point loss dropping to 30th in scoring per game with 98.8 points while allowing opponents to score 108.0 points per game ranking 19th.

Rebounding:

On the glass, the Raptors grab 44.5 rebounds per game which is tied for 20th (again the loss of Birch and Anunoby are impacting this stat). Offensively, Toronto pulls down 13.3 boards which rank second overall.

The Thunder dropped from the top spot to 10th averaging 45.9 boards per game and10.1 offensive boards which ties them with the Warriors and Jazz in 17th.

Dime dishers:

Both teams struggle in this area with Toronto ranking 29th averaging 20.7 assists while the Thunder are the bottom playmaking team averaging 19.8 assists to rank 30th.

Perimeter:

The Raptors rank 18th from beyond the arc shooting with an efficiency of 34.1 percent
while OKC struggles from deep also shooting 30.4 which finds them tied with the Pistons in last.

Turnovers:

The Raptors are good at protecting the ball ranking fifth with 12.3 turnovers per game with the Thunder in the middle of the pack with 14.2 miscues ranking 16th.

Miscellaneous Categories:

Toronto feast in the miscellaneous categories ranking top three in each of points off turnovers, second-chance points, and fast break scoring.

• Points off turnovers: 19.5 – ranks third
• Second Chance points: 16.2 – ranks third
• Fast break points: 15.4 – ranks third
• Points in the paint: 44.1 – rank 18th

Defensively the Raptors also perform well in limiting teams to scoring off turnovers on the fast break or in the paint.

• Points off turnovers: 14.9 – rank fifth
• Second Chance points: 15.0 – rank 28th
• Fast break scoring: 10.0 – rank third
• Points in the paint: 42.6  – ranks fifth.

NOTE: These stats were pulled on the morning of game day December 8th from NBA official site.