New Orleans Pelicans (50-35) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (58-25)
April 24, 2024 9:30 pm EDT
The Line: Oklahoma City Thunder -7.5; Over/Under: +213.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The New Orleans Pelicans and the Oklahoma City Thunder do battle in Game 2 NBA Playoffs at the Paycom Center on Wednesday night. Here’s a New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder prediction.
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans had their eyes set on stealing home-court right off the bat, but they are going to have to wait a little longer after coming up just short in a 94-92 road defeat in Game 1 on Sunday. Trey Murphy led the team with 21 points, CJ McCollum added 20 points with six assists while Jonas Valanciunas tallied 13 points with 20 rebounds. As a team, the Pelicans shot just 38 percent from the field and 11 of 39 from the 3-point line as they struggled to get going and had to work hard to erase a six-point deficit late in the fourth quarter, only to see the Thunder slip away on the back of a clutch basket and foul from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with just 32.1 seconds left on the clock.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be aiming to take a 2-0 series lead after outlasting the Pelicans in a thriller in the series opener. Shai Gigeous-Alexander led the team with 28 points, six rebounds and four assists, Jalen Williams added 19 points with seven rebounds and four assists while Chet Holmgren chipped in with 15 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks. As a team, the Thunder shot 43 percent from the field and 10 of 32 from the 3-point line as they went back and forth with the Pelicans in a close contest, until they escaped overtime on the back of Gilgeous-Alexander in crunch time.
Oklahoma City Thunder Team Facts
- The favorites have won each of the Thunder’s last 10 games.
- The road team has covered the spread in each of the last nine games between the Pelicans and Thunder.
- Each of the Thunder’s last four playoff games have gone UNDER the total points line.
New Orleans Pelicans Team Facts
- The Pelicans have won each of their last seven games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last seven games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
- Eight of the Pelicans’ last nine games as road underdogs have gone UNDER the total points line.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder prediction
The Pelicans are still going to be shorthanded with Zion Williamson still out with that hamstring strain, while the Thunder are coming in with a full squad once again. The Pelicans almost snatched home-court advantage in a close contest on Sunday, but they missed a bunch of opportunities down the stretch, as it was the Thunder who had the answers late in the game when it mattered most. The Pelicans were good enough to keep it close on Sunday, but I don’t it will be as close in this one. I expect the Thunder to hit the ground running and pull away for the more comfortable win and cover to take a 2-0 series lead.
