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The New Orleans Pelicans (5-18) welcome the Oklahoma City Thunder (17-5) to Smoothie King Center Saturday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Thunder vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Thunder lead 1-0
The Pelicans beat the Phoenix Suns 126-124 at home Thursday, covering as a 1-point home underdog. They were led in scoring by F Brandon Ingram, who dropped 29. New Orleans snapped a 9-game losing streak with the win. It might have struggled to win as of late, but it is 4-3 against the spread (ATS) in its last 7. It is 8-15 ATS on the season.
The Thunder throttled the Toronto Raptors 129-92 Thursday, closing as a 10-point road favorite. G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tallied a game-high 30 points despite shooting 1-for-10 from deep. Oklahoma City has won six of its last seven and is 4-2-1 ATS in those. It is 13-7-2 ATS on the season.
Thunder at Pelicans 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 11:25 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Thunder -375 (bet $375 to win $100) | Pelicans +290 (bet $100 to win $290)
- Against the spread: Thunder -8.5 (-105) | Pelicans +8.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Thunder at Pelicans key injuries
Thunder
- F Chet Holmgren (hip) out
Pelicans
- F Daniel Theis (neck) questionable
- F Zion Williamson (hamstring) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Thunder at Pelicans picks and predictions
Prediction
Thunder 114, Pelicans 108
Moneyline
PASS.
The Thunder should come out on top and have won 4 of their last 5 away games; however, they aren’t worth playing as an expensive favorite. As for the Pelicans, they are better played on the spread.
Against the spread
BET PELICANS +8.5 (-115).
The Pelicans are finally healthy and have a talented roster. They have covered 4 of their last 7 and are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games. New Orleans has scored 119 points per game over its last 2.
The Thunder are just 3-3-1 ATS in their last 7 road games and have road losses to the Nuggets, Spurs, and Rockets included in those. Oklahoma City will be without Holmgren, its third-leading scorer, as well.
Play PELICANS +8.5 (-115).
Over/Under
BET UNDER 224.5 (-105).
If there’s one thing both teams have in common as of late, it is going under the projected total. The Thunder are 3-5 O/U in their last 8 games and have held 4 of those opponents to 101 or fewer.
The Pelicans are 2-5 O/U in their last 7 games and have scored 110 or fewer in all but 2 of those. New Orleans ranks 19th in pace as well, so it doesn’t play at a fast tempo.
Take UNDER 224.5 (-105).
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