Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Preview
The Thunder and Pelicans are set to tip-off their first-round series at 9:30 PM ET at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. TNT is carrying the game on TV, and the Thunder are the 8.5 point favorites at home. The over/under line is at 214.5, and the money line odds are +282 for the Pelicans and -357 for the Thunder.
Check out BetCoco for Oklahoma City Thunder – New Orleans Pelicans odds
Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Head-to-Head and Key Stats
The Pelicans have won each of the last three games on the road vs. the Thunder. Going back to the last five head-to-head games between the Thunder and Pelicans, the over/under record in these games is 2-3 with a combined average of 216 points per contest.
- In their last five road games, New Orleans has averaged 117 points per game while allowing 107 . The team’s record in this stretch was 5-0 while going 3-2 vs. the spread.
- In their last three games at home, the Thunder have a straight up record of 1-2 while going 0-3 vs. the spread. The team averaged 111 points per game in this stretch.
- As the betting underdog, the Pelicans have an ATS record of 4-1 in their last five games. In these matchups their, straight up record was 4-1.
- Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Thunder have a straight up record of 9-1. But, their mark vs the spread was just 6-4.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
Today, the Pelicans are looking to extend their winning streak as the underdog to three games. As the underdog this season, they have gone 18-14 and have an ATS record of 20-12. The Pelicans are 8.5-point underdogs today.
In their last game, the Pelicans lost to the Lakers by a score of 124-108. The O/U line for that game was 231.5, and they were favored by 1.5 points. This loss dropped their overall record to 49-33.
New Orleans is currently 8th in the Western Conference and went 30-22 against other teams in the West. In the Southwest Division, they are in 2nd place.
This season, the Pelicans have an O/U record of 37-45, and the over has hit in their last three games. On average, their games have finished with 225.7 points, and today’s O/U line is set at 214.5.
On the road, the Pelicans have an average scoring differential of +5.3 points per game. Their ATS record on the road is 23-18, while going 28-14 straight up. At home, they are 20-20 vs. the spread.
For the Pelicans to pick up a win today, they will need CJ McCollum to continue his hot shooting. Over his last five games, he is averaging 28.8 points per game on 52.5% shooting. In these games, he hit 58.9% of his threes and averaged 6.6 made threes per game. Trey Murphy III has also been shooting the ball well of late, averaging 21.2 points per game on 50% shooting.
New Orleans is averaging 115.1 points per game this season, which is 12th in the league. Their scoring average is slightly higher on the road, at 115.3 points per contest. The team’s three-point shooting percentage of 38% is the 7th best mark in the NBA.
In the current season, the Pelicans defense has excelled, sitting 2nd in the NBA by allowing 107.3 points per game. In terms of two point field goal attempts, the Pelicans defense has allowed a shooting percentage of 54.9% while allowing 32.8% from downtown.
As the Thunder look to continue their win streak, they are favored by 8.5 points against the Pelicans. This season, they have been favored in 61 of their 82 games and have a 47-14 record as the favorite.
Oklahoma City has won their last five games at home and has an average scoring margin of +13.0 points per game at home. Against the spread at home, they are 27-14 compared to 20-21 on the road.
The Thunder’s ATS record for the season is 47-35, and they have covered the spread in their last four games. This is also their third straight game as the favorite.
The Thunder’s O/U record for the season is 44-37-1, and their games have averaged 232.8 points per game. Today’s O/U line is set at 214.5, and their games have averaged 232.2 points per game.
Oklahoma City’s last game was a dominant 135-86 win over the Mavericks. They were favored by 19.5 points in that game and easily covered the spread. The O/U line for that game was 225.
The Thunder are currently in 1st place in the Western Conference with a record of 57-25. Against the Western Conference, they are 36-16 and 21-9 against non-conference opponents.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 26 points per game over his last four games on a field goal percentage of 46.5%. In these games, he also averaged 4.5 assists and 5.2 rebounds. For the season, he is averaging 30.1 points, 6.2 assists, and 5.5 rebounds. Chet Holmgren and Aaron Wiggins have also been playing well of late, with Holmgren averaging 15.8 points per game in his last five games on a field goal percentage of 58% and Wiggins averaging 14.6 points per game in his last five.
Oklahoma City comes into the game as the NBA’s 3rd ranked scoring offense, at 120.1 points per game. They are also 3rd in the league in scoring at home, at 123.1 points per contest. The team’s field goal percentage of 49% is the 2nd best mark in the league. Looking at their three-point shooting, they are 2nd in the NBA, at 38%.
At present, the Thunder’s defense is ranked 11th, allowing 112.7 points per game. The Oklahoma City defense has allowed opponents to shoot 36.4% from beyond the arc this season. Opposing teams are also hitting 45.6% of their field goal attempts vs. Oklahoma City.
With the Thunder being favored by 8.5, our NFL analytics models has this one playing out 116-114 in favor of the Thunder.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Betting Tips
- Take the Thunder on the moneyline
- On the spread, we like Pelicans (+8.5)
- Projecting a combined 230 points, we like the over
Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report
No Injuries Reported
New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report
- Zion Williamson – Hamstring – Out
