The New Orleans Pelicans (8-21) travel to Paycom Center Wednesday to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (8-18). Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Pelicans at Thunder odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Thunder have lost 3 of their last 5, two of which were by more than 20. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way, OKC has struggled for large chunks of the season.
They are, however, 15-11 against the spread given they’re consistently double-digit underdogs. They’re 6-5 as home underdogs.
As for New Orleans, it has been far more competitive since the return of Brandon Ingram. Ingram is averaging 24.7 points per game over his last 10 and has scored in double figures in all but one game he’s played in.
New Orleans is just 12-17 ATS and 0-1 as road favorites.
Pelicans at Thunder odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:50 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Pelicans -190 (bet $190 to win $100) | Thunder +155 (bet $100 to win $155)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pelicans -4.5 (-112) | Thunder +4.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 212.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Pelicans at Thunder key injuries
Pelicans
- None
Thunder
- G Lugentz Dort (ankle) out
Pelicans at Thunder odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Pelicans 107, Thunder 103
Money line
PASS on the money line.
While I like New Orleans to win, at -190, it’s not worth it. OKC has played better at home and certainly isn’t that much worse than the Pelicans – who heavily rely on Ingram.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to the PELICANS -4.5 (-112) as New Orleans is one of the best defensive rebounding teams in the Association.
Couple that with the fact that OKC has the league’s worst true shooting percentage and will be without a starting guard, and I’d side with the healthier side that’ll have the best player on the court.
Also, over their last 5, the Pelicans rank in the top half of the league in net rating while the Thunder are dead last. New Orleans, behind the play of Ingram, are a quality opponent on both ends of the court.
Combine it all, and I’d side with the Pelicans in this one.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 212.5 (-115) as both teams have been consistently struggled to score.
The Pelicans and Thunder are among the league’s worst teams when it comes to hitting the Over. The Thunder are just 10-16 while the Pelicans are 11-18, so both teams have been far from profitable for Over bettors.
The majority of the cash and tickets are on the Over – yet it has only moved half a point. Sportsbooks seem to like their position or this line would’ve moved more than just half a point from the open.
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