The 10th-place Oklahoma City Thunder (40-42) and the 9th-place New Orleans Pelicans (42-40) meet Wednesday in the Western Conference play-in tournament at Smoothie King Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Thunder vs. Pelicans odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Thunder covered the spread as 2-point home favorites Sunday with a 115-100 win vs. the Memphis Grizzlies. Oklahoma City has won back-to-back games, but is just 2-8 against the spread (ATS) in its last 10.
The Pelicans failed to cover as 3.5-point underdogs Sunday in a 113-108 loss at the Minnesota Timberwolves. New Orleans has won 9 of its last 12 games and is 8-3-1 ATS over that span.
The Pelicans won the regular season series 3-1 straight up (2-2 ATS), with the Under hitting in 3 of the 4 meetings. Oklahoma City covered as a 1-point underdog in a 110-96 win as the Under (232.5) cashed in the most recent meeting March 11.
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Thunder at Pelicans odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:10 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Thunder +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Pelicans -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Thunder +5.5 (-110) | Pelicans -5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 226.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Thunder at Pelicans key injuries
Thunder
- None
Pelicans
- G Jose Alvarado (shin) out
- C Larry Nance Jr. (ankle) questionable
- F Zion Williamson (hamstring) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Thunder at Pelicans picks and predictions
Prediction
Pelicans 111, Thunder 110
Moneyline
PASS.
New Orleans (-225) should be able to bounce back at home after a tough loss last time out, but the Pelicans are being slightly overvalued on the moneyline. Bet the spread and/or the total instead.
Against the spread
BET THUNDER +5.5 (-110).
The Thunder have played well vs. the Pelicans in recent games and are 6-0 ATS in the last 6 meetings in New Orleans. Oklahoma City is a streaky team and is 17-6-3 ATS in its last 26 games after a win by more than 10 points. The Pelicans blew a 14-point 2nd-half lead last time out and should struggle to win by margin vs. this young Thunder team that will be playing with much less pressure on it than New Orleans.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 226.5 (-105).
The Under is 4-1 in Oklahoma City’s last 5 road games and 7-2 in its last 9 vs. teams with a winning record.
The Under has hit in 8 of New Orleans’ last 9 home games vs. teams with a road winning percentage below .400 and should hit again Wednesday as both teams slow their pace in the postseason.
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