The New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder meet Tuesday in NBA action at the Paycom Center. Here’s a Thunder vs Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Thunder vs Pelicans Prediction Pick.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Grizzlies and Spurs, and they play the Grizzlies next. The Pelicans have lost 14 of their last 18 games.
The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 114.8 points on 46.3 percent shooting and allowing 121.5 points on 48.4 percent shooting. Trey Murphy III is averaging 22.2 points and 6 rebounds, while Zion Williamson is averaging 22 points and 6 rebounds. Saddiq Bey is the third double-digit scorer and Jordan Poole is dishing 3.1 assists. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 33.9 percent from beyond the arc and 78.5 percent from the free-throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 35.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.6 rebounds per game.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder lost to the Pacers and Raptors, and then play the Timberwolves next. The Thunder have won 41 of their last 51 regular season games.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 120.9 points on 49.2 percent shooting and allowing 107.9 points on 43.2 percent shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.1 points and 6.2 assists, while Chet Holmgren is averaging 17.8 points and 8.6 rebounds. Jalen Williams is the third double-digit scorer and Ajay Mitchell is grabbing 3.5 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 35.9 percent from beyond the arc and 82.4 percent from the free throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 37.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.6 rebounds per game.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 31 games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last 12 games against Thunder teams that held a winning record.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last six games against the Pelicans following a loss.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in 11 of their last 12 road games against Northwest Division opponents.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Pelicans have won each of their last three games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The Thunder have lost three of their last four night games.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last six road games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six home games.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Pelicans’ last nine games against Northwest Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Four of the last five games between the Pelicans and Thunder have gone OVER the total points line.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has recorded 45 games with 3+ assists this season – equal-most of any player in the league.
- Chet Holmgren is one of only two players to have made 9+ field goals without a miss in a game this season.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Herb Jones is one of only two players in the league to have recorded 8+ steals in a game this season.
- Trey Murphy III ranks 2nd amongst qualified Forwards for FT% (90.1%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for points per game this season (120.8).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent points per game this season (107.9).
- The Pelicans have recorded the largest comeback win from a HT deficit this season – trailed by 22 points vs Rockets on December 18.
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for H2 win percentage this season (31.3%).
Thunder vs Pelicans Injury Report
The Thunder will be without Thomas Sorber, Nikola Topic, Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Alex Caruso. Cason Wallace is questionable.
The Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray.
Thunder vs Pelicans Prediction
The Pelicans aren’t good, and they’re even worse on the road, but that doesn’t mean we throw the opponent a billion points. The Thunder are coming off two straight losses as double-digit favorites, and they’re 23-24 ATS on the season.
OKC has made us endless money the last two seasons, but this isn’t the same covering machine it was back then. Hell, this month alone, the Thunder have outright lost 5 times as a double-digit favorite. The Thunder are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games as a double-digit favorite. These inflated lines have finally caught up to OKC. Give me the points with the Pels on the road.