Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Preview
The Thunder and Pelicans are set to tip-off game two of their first-round series at 9:30 PM ET at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The Thunder are up 1-0 in the series and are favored by 7.5 points. The over/under line is 210.5, and the money line odds are Thunder -333 and Pelicans +262. TNT is carrying the game on TV.
Check out BetCoco for Oklahoma City Thunder – New Orleans Pelicans odds
Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Head-to-Head and Key Stats
In the last three games between New Orleans and Oklahoma City, the Thunder have dominated the series, going 3-0. This includes a convincing margin of victory of 11 points per contest. Across the last three head-to-head matchups, Oklahoma City is averaging 106 points compared to New Orleans at 95.
- In their last ten games away from home, the Pelicans have a straight up record of 8-2 while going 7-3 vs. the spread. The team averaged 111 points per game in this stretch.
- When looking at their past five home matchups, Oklahoma City has an ATS record of 0-5 while averaging 110 per game. The team went 2-3 overall in these games.
- In their last three games as the betting underdog, the Pelicans have a strong straight up record of 2-1. In addition, their ATS record was 3-0 in these scenarios.
- The Thunder have played well in their last three games as the betting favorite, going 3-0 straight up and 2-1 against the spread.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a big game for the Thunder in their most recent game against the Pelicans, as he scored 28 points and added 6 rebounds and 4 assists. The Thunder won the game 94-92 and covered the spread as 9-point favorites. Going into the game, the over/under line was at 216.5 points, and the teams fell well short of that line, combining for just 186 points.
While the Thunder won the game, their offense wasn’t great, as they shot just 43.5% from the field and made only 10 threes. The Pelicans were even worse from beyond the arc, making just 28.2% of their threes. As for the spread, the Pelicans covered as 9-point underdogs. Trey Murphy III hit five threes and led the Pelicans with 21 points.
In their last game against the Thunder, the Pelicans lost by a score of 94-92. The O/U line for that game was 216.5, and the teams combined for 186 points.
New Orleans has an ATS record of 45-39 this season, and they have covered the spread in their last two games. On the road, they are 24-18 vs. the spread compared to 21-21 at home.
As the underdog, the Pelicans have an ATS record of 21-12, and they are 18-15 as the underdog straight-up. Today, they are getting 7.5 points against the Thunder.
This season, the Pelicans have an O/U record of 37-48, and their games have averaged 224.9 points per game. In their last three games, the under has hit.
In the Western Conference, the Pelicans are currently in 8th place with a record of 49-33. Against the West, they are 30-22 compared to 19-11 in non-conference games.
On the road, the Pelicans have a scoring differential of +5.2 points per game. Their overall road record is 28-15, which is 11th in the NBA.
Looking at the Pelicans’ offense, they are currently 7th in the league in three-point shooting, at 38%. Overall, they are hitting 48% of their shots from the field, which is one of the top marks in the league. In terms of two-point shooting percentage, they are 16th in the league, at 54%.
One of the Pelicans’ top scorers this season has been Zion Williamson, who is averaging 22.9 points per game. Brandon Ingram is averaging 20.8 points per game. Over his last five games, CJ McCollum is averaging 17.8 points per game while hitting 3.2 threes per game. Trey Murphy III has also been shooting the ball well of late, making 3.6 threes per game in his last five games.
When it comes to defense, the Pelicans are one of the best in the league, allowing just 110.3 points per game, which is 8th in the NBA. On the road, they have been even better, giving up just 109.6 points per game, which is 3rd in the league.
One of the reasons for their success is their ability to force turnovers. The Pelicans are 3rd in the NBA in steals, averaging 8.3 per game. However, they have struggled to block shots, ranking just 22nd in the league in that category.
When it comes to defending the three-point line, New Orleans has struggled, allowing opponents to shoot 34.9% from beyond the arc, which is 24th in the NBA. They have also given up 13.5 made threes per game, which is 24th in the league.
The Thunder have won six straight games and are in 1st place in the Western Conference with a record of 57-25. In non-conference games, they are 21-9 compared to 36-16 against the West.
Oklahoma City has been favored in all but 21 of their games this season. As the favorite, they are 48-14 straight-up and 35-27 against the spread. Today, they are favored by 7.5 points.
When looking at their ATS record, the Thunder are 47-36 for the season. At home, they are 27-15 ATS compared to 20-21 on the road. Their ATS win streak at home is at 6 games.
In their last game against the Pelicans, the Thunder won 94-92 as 9-point favorites. The O/U line for that game was 216.5, and the teams combined for just 186 points.
Oklahoma City’s O/U record for the season is 44-38-1, and the under has hit in their last two games. Today’s O/U line is set at 210.5, and their games have averaged 232.2 points per game.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 26.4 points per game over his last five games while hitting 46.3% of his shots from the field. This is part of an overall season average of 30.1 points per game. Chet Holmgren is averaging 16.5 points per game for the season but has averaged 14.8 points and 8.8 rebounds in his last five games.
Oklahoma City is 3rd in the NBA in scoring this season, at 120.1 points per game. Their home scoring average of 122.4 points per contest is the 3rd best mark in the league. The Thunder are also 7th in pace this year.
At home this season, the Thunder have been a top-10 defense, allowing just 109.7 points per game (7th). Overall, Oklahoma City is 11th in the NBA in points allowed per game (112.4).
When playing at home, opponents have scored less than their season average 58.5% of the time vs. the Thunder. On the year, opposing teams have made 36.3% of their three-point attempts (23rd).
Over their last five games, Oklahoma City has been the best defense in the league, giving up just 95.8 points per game. During that stretch, opponents have made just 28.5% of their three-point attempts.
With the Thunder being favored by 7.5, our NFL analytics models has this one playing out 115-112 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 (+7.5)
- Projecting a combined 227 points, we like the over
Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report
No Injuries Reported
New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report
- Zion Williamson – Hamstring – Out
