The New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder meet Sunday in NBA action at the Paycom Center. Here’s a Thunder vs Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Kansas City Royals vs Oakland Athletics Pick.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Clippers and Nuggets, and they play the Hornets next. The Pelicans haven’t started 0-6 since the 2016-17 season.
The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 108 points on 41.8 percent shooting and allowing 123.6 points on 50 percent shooting. Zion Williamson is averaging 23.5 points and 6.3 rebounds, while Jordan Poole is averaging 19.8 points and 1.8 rebounds. Trey Murphy III is the third double-digit scorer and Jeremiah Fears is dishing 3.8 assists. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 32.5 percent from beyond the arc and 76.7 percent from the free-throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 33.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 1.2 rebounds per game.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Kings and Wizards, and then play the Clippers next. The Thunder look for back-to-back 7-0 starts to the NBA season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 119.5 points on 45.5 percent shooting and allowing 110.3 points on 42.5 percent shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 34.2 points and 5.7 assists, while Chet Holmgren is averaging 23 points and 10.3 rebounds. Isaiah Joe is the third double-digit scorer and Ajay Mitchell is grabbing 4.7 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 29.6 percent from beyond the arc and 85.8 percent from the free throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 34.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 49 rebounds per game.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last 30 games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last 12 games.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last eight games against Pelicans teams that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games against Thunder teams that held a winning record.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The road team has won 18 of the last 24 games between the Pelicans and Thunder.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The road team has covered the spread in 13 of the last 16 games between the Pelicans and Thunder.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Pelicans’ last eight road games following a road loss have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the last four day games between the Pelicans and Thunder have gone UNDER the total points line.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Ajay Mitchell ranks T1st amongst qualified players for FT% (100.0%) this season.
- Cason Wallace ranks 1st amongst qualified players for steals per game (2.6) this season.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Jordan Poole ranks T1st amongst qualified players for FT% (100.0%) this season.
- Saddiq Bey has recorded four games with 1+ assists and zero turnovers this season – equal-most of any player in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Thunder rank 30th in the league for three-point percentage this season (29.6%).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for H1 opponent points per game this season (52.0).
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for points per game this season (108.0).
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for point differential per game this season (-15.6).
Thunder vs Pelicans Injury Report
The Thunder will be without Thomas Sorber, Kenrich Williams, Nikola Topic, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren.
The Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray. Kevon Looney is questionable.
Thunder vs Pelicans Prediction
The Pelicans competed with the Clippers and that makes them worth a look here with the massive line. However, the Pelicans have been far less consistent, as they don’t win games and don’t cover numbers. The Thunder have won the last 10 games against the Pelicans and have covered 9 of those games. Thick line, but I have trust issues when it comes to the Pelicans. Give me OKC in a beat down at home.