New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction
| Game Time | 8:00 pm EST |
| New Orleans Pelicans Line | +15.5 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder Line | -15.5 |
| Total | 235.5 |
| TV: | NBA TV |
New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction
Below is a detailed analysis for New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder game.
PREGAME WARM-UP:
The best and the worst team of the Western conference are clashing in this matchup, when the Oklahoma City Thunder are hosting the New Orleans Pelicans. The Thunder have been red-hot lately with five consecutive wins, and are back home, where they have been one of the best teams of the league. On the other hand, the Pelicans are on a free fall with eight consecutive losses, and are playing their fourth straight game on the road, where they have been struggling mightily this season.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction
Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report: Cason Wallace, Lu Dort, Chet Holmgren, Osmani Dieng are questionable, Ajay Mitchell, Nikola Topic are out.
New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report: Kelly Olynyk, Bruce Brown are questionable, Herb Jones, Dejounte Murray are out.
Oklahoma City Thunder Form and Trends
The Oklahoma City Thunder has a 42-10 record this season and are sitting in the first place of the West. The Thunder are 33-16-3 against the spread and 26-24-2 in over/under, while having a 23-3 home record. Oklahoma City is 5-0 in their last 5 games, and are 4-1 against the spread. Over is 7-2-1 in their last 10 games.
The Thunder are coming off a 125-112 road victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder both in scoring with 32.7 points, and in assists made with 6, adding 5.1 rebounds per game. Jalen Williams adds 21.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
New Orleans Pelicans Form and Trends
The Pelicans have a 12-40 record this season and are sitting on the second to last place of the West. New Orleans is 21-30-1 against the spread and 29-22-1 in over/under, while having a 4-22 road record. New Orleans is coming off eight consecutive losses, and are 1-7-1 against the spread in their last 9 games. Over is 8-3 in their last 11 games.
The Pelicans are coming off a 118-123 road defeat by the Sacramento Kings. Zion Williamson leads the Pels in scoring with 24.3 points, adding 7.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. Trey Murphy III adds 22.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction
Statistical Breakdown
Offensively, the Thunder are scoring 117.1 points per game, ranking 5th in the league. They shoot 47.2% from the field (10th) and 35.3% from beyond the arc (16th). Defensively, they are the best team in the NBA, allowing 104.7 points per game.
Offensively, the Pels are averaging 110.2 points per game, which is just 24th in the league. The Pelicans shoot 44.7% from the field, which is 25th in the league, and 34.9% from beyond the arc (23rd). Defensively, the Pels allow 118.8 points per game, which is just 27th in the league.
The Thunder have won both previous meetings against the Pelicans this season. At home by 106-88 and on the road by 119-109. The Thunder are 8-0 in their last 8 meetings, and 7-1 against the spread. Under is 3-1 in their last 4 meetings.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction
In this New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction, the Thunder are coming as -15.5 home favorites. The Thunder are rightfully favored, as they are the superior team this season, and have been the best home team in the West and the second-best in the whole league, while the Pelicans and the worst road team in the whole NBA. The Thunder have won and covered both previous meetings against the Pelicans this season and have been dominating them in recent years. I expect the hosts to get the job done today, so take the Oklahoma City Thunder and lay the points at home.
Nick’s Free Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder -15.5
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