[gambcom-standard rankid=”4141″ ]
The New Orleans Pelicans (3-8) and Oklahoma City Thunder (9-2) meet Wednesday at Paycom Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Pelicans vs. Thunder odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Thunder won 2-1 in 2023-24 regular season and swept 4-0 in first round of playoffs
The Pelicans have been terrible with a 3-8 record to start the season, so this playoff rematch has lost a little luster.
This game lost even more steam when Pelicans F Zion Williamson went on the shelf earlier this week due to a hamstring injury which could cost him 4 to 6 weeks. G Jose Alvarado, who started the last 7 games, suffered a hamstring injury during Monday’s 107-105 home loss to the Brooklyn Nets. He is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.
Monday’s loss — as 1.5-point underdogs — was the Pelicans’ 5th in a row and 8th in the last 9. New Orleans is also 1-9 against the spread (ATS) in the previous 10 contests.
OKC isn’t without injury issues as C Chet Holmgren suffered a fractured hip in a 127-116 home loss to Golden State Sunday. The former Gonzaga star will be sidelined indefinitely.
Without Holmgren, the Thunder struck for a 134-128 win Monday over the visiting LA Clippers last time out, pushing as 6-point favorites, while the Over (219) hit for the 4th consecutive time for the Thunder. F Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scorched the Clips for 45 points and 9 assists while hitting 4 triples.
OKC is just 1-2-1 ATS in the past 4 games, but 7-3-1 through its 11 games this season.
Pelicans at Thunder odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated at 6:21 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pelicans +725 (bet $100 to win $725) | Thunder -1200 (bet $1,200 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Pelicans +14.5 (-110) | Thunder -14.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 221.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
[gambcom-standard rankid=”4132″ ]
Pelicans at Thunder key injuries
Pelicans
- G Jose Alvarado (hamstring) out
- G/F Jordan Hawkins (back) out
- F Herbert Jones (shoulder) out
- G CJ McCollum (adductor) out
- G Dejounte Murray (hand) out
- F Zion Williamson (hamstring) out
Thunder
- C Isaiah Hartenstein (hand) out
- C Chet Holmgren (hip) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Pelicans at Thunder picks and predictions
Prediction
Thunder 126, Pelicans 102
Moneyline
The Thunder (-1200) were fine without Holmgren against the Clippers, and they should be fine against the injured-decimated Pelicans (+725), too. However, it’s not wise to risk 12 times the potential return on a standalone wager or as a part of a multi-leg parlay. There is just no value in that.
AVOID.
Against the spread
BACK OKLAHOMA CITY -14.5 (-110) to cash at home, even though this is a big number.
OKC is missing a big piece (Holmgren) in the middle, but so is NOLA. That’s a bit of a wash. The Thunder still have the electric SGA, while the Pellies do not have a dynamic scorer to take over the game.
Over/Under
OVER 221.5 (-110) is worth playing lightly, but don’t get carried away.
The Over has cashed in 4 consecutive Thunder games, with the offense going for 116 or more points, while allowing 124 or more points in 3 of those outings.
The Pelicans have had problems scoring, but opponents are receiving very little resistance from them. New Orleans has allowed 115 or more points in 5 of the past 6 outings.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”6305″ ]
Want to play some games of your own? Play for free at the best social casinos and enjoy lots of slots, blackjack, video poker, roulette and more. You can even earn real prizes!
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Access more NBA coverage:
HoopsHype | Bulls Wire | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Spurs Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]