The Oklahoma City Thunder (31-35) battle the New Orleans Pelicans (32-34) Saturday. Tip from Smoothie King Center is set for 8:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Thunder vs. Pelicans odds, and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Thunder are 0-3 straight up against the Pelicans this season yet 1-2 against the spread (ATS). The most-recent matchup was a 103-100 win for the Pelicans, covering as a 2.5-point road favorite.
The Thunder are coming off a 132-101 loss Wednesday, failing to cover as an 11-point underdog. They are 3-1 straight up over their last 4 and 3-1 ATS in that span. Oklahoma City is 38-25-3 ATS this season.
The Pelicans, on the other hand, are 2-6 ATS over their last 8 games and 2-6 outright over that span as well. New Orleans is coming off a 113-106 home win over Dallas, covering as a 2.5-point underdog. It is 30-36 ATS this season.
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Thunder at Pelicans odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Thunder +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Pelicans -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Thunder +1.5 (-108) | Pelicans -1.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 233.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Thunder at Pelicans key injuries
Thunder
- None
Pelicans
- G Jose Alvarado (tibial) out
- F Brandon Ingram (ankle) questionable
- F Zion Williamson (hamstring) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Thunder at Pelicans picks and predictions
Prediction
Thunder 118, Pelicans 112
Moneyline
SPRINKLE THUNDER (+110).
The Pelicans are 2-6 straight up over their last 8 games, and the Thunder, although 4 of the games were at home, have taken down Utah twice and Golden State in their last 4 games.
I was a fan of the spread before it was bet down to +1.5, but given how the teams have faired lately and the potential absence of Ingram, the THUNDER (+110) is a solid option.
Against the spread
LEAN THUNDER +1.5 (-108) or just stick to the ML.
Oklahoma City is 17-11-3 ATS on the road this season, the 3rd-best covering team away from home. While also solid, New Orleans is just 18-14 ATS at home.
As a home favorite though, they are just 11-10 ATS. The Thunder are routinely a strong play as an underdog, having posted a 27-16-3 ATS record in the position. They have covered 3 of their last 4 as well and are 2-1-2 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Back the THUNDER +1.5 (-108).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 233.5 (-112).
The Pelicans just haven’t had the offense to keep pace with the Thunder. OKC has gone Over in 6 straight games, but this is a lofty total for the Pelicans.
They have gone Under in 5 straight and in 8 of their last 9. They have scored 108 or fewer in 4 of their last 6 and have eclipsed 115 just once in their last 10 games.
With Ingram possibly sidelined and their offensive rebounding having dropped from No. 4 in the league (last season) to No. 8 (this season), the opportunities haven’t been there.
Back the UNDER 233.5 (-112).
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