Oklahoma City Thunder (31-13) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (26-18)
The Line: New Orleans Pelicans -1.5; Over/Under: +239.5
(Get latest betting odds)
We begin today’s NBA action with the Thunder vs Pelicans Player Prop Bets for Friday, January 26. The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the New Orleans Pelicans with hopes of getting the fifth straight win, while the hosts are looking to secure the tenth victory in 15 games.
Thunder vs Pelicans Player Prop Bets – Josh Giddey Over 20.5 Points, Assists, and Rebounds (-114)
In his third year in the NBA, Josh Giddey averages the weakest numbers in every segment, including minutes per game (24.9). The Thunder have never been this strong in that span, so the competition is quite fierce this year.
Still, Giddey is a versatile guy who contributes all over the floor, and he always plays well against the Pelicans. In a lone H2H against New Orleans this season, Giddey recorded 15 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. I expect a similar performance tonight, but even if he doesn’t repeat these numbers, I am sure he will do enough to go over 20.5 PTS, AST, and REB.
He managed to combine for over 20.5 PTS, AST, and REB in four of his last eight games, including the most recent one against the Spurs. That one was a blowout win for the Thunder, so Giddey logged just 22 minutes. The Pels allow 22.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg, and 5.7 apg to the opposing shooting guards. Giddey averages 12.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg, and 5.6 apg in eight games against New Orleans throughout his career.
Jonas Valanciunas Over 9.5 Rebounds (-125)
Jonas Valanciunas averaged a double-double per game in the previous five seasons. Although his numbers dropped slightly this year, Valanciunas is still the Pels’ best rebounder with 9.6 rpg. He recorded double-doubles in each of the last two games, the feature he managed to achieve in five of the previous eight outings.
I like this matchup for Jonas. The Thunder allow 45.0 rpg to opponents this season – the fifth-worst record in the NBA. Additionally, OKC allows 15.5 rpg to the opposing centers, so I think Valanciunas will be good for 10+ boards in this one.
Valanciunas had nine rebounds in the latest H2H against the Thunder, but he spent only 20 minutes on the floor. He’s averaging 26.5 mpg and I expect him to log more minutes tonight.
The Thunder vs Pelicans Player Prop Bets is only the beginning of our NBA prop bets for Friday, January 26. Stay with us and check out the Cavs vs Bucks Player Prop Bets.
