The Oklahoma City Thunder (32-22) meet the New Orleans Pelicans (23-31) in the final game prior to the All-Star Break at the Smoothie King Center for an 8 p.m. ET tip off. We analyze the Thunder-Pelicans odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Thunder at Pelicans: Key injuries
Thunder
- SG Andre Roberson (knee) out
- SF Darius Bazley (knee) out
Pelicans
- SF Brandon Ingram (ankle) questionable
- SG Kenrich Williams (back) out
- SF Darius Miller (Achilles) out
Thunder at Pelicans: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 2 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Pelicans 110, Thunder 108
Moneyline (ML)
The Thunder (+140) head into their fourth game against the Pelicans (-167), holding a 3-0 season-series lead. But New Orleans has played well recently, winning three straight, while Oklahoma City has lost back-to-back games. The reason for this is obvious: Zion Williamson. With Zion in the lineup, the Pelicans are 5-4 and he’s averaging an impressive 21.0 points, on 57.6% shooting, and 7.7 rebounds per game.
However, do we get the above-.500 Pelicans with Zion team or the one that is eight games under .500? The Thunder’s 24-6 record against below-.500 teams speaks volumes. Furthermore, Ingram’s status should be monitored if you’re considering betting this game. In their first meeting, Ingram left early with an injury and the Pelicans lost 115-104.
This is a coin flip game and I will NOT WAGER on the moneyline.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The trends heavily favor the Thunder +3.5 (-115). Oklahoma City has the best ATS record on the road at 20-5, and is a solid 17-4 ATS as a road dog. The Thunder fair better in games projected to be down to the wire than the Pelicans: Oklahoma City is 11-4 ATS when getting 1-2.5 points and New Orleans is 3-6 ATS when laying 1-2.5 points. Finally, the Thunder have the best ATS record in conference games at 24-11.
Over/Under (O/U)
PASS. The line is 233.5 (Over -115, Under -106). All three Thunder-Pelicans games this season have went Under the projected total. But just like the moneyline, the Over/Under seems to be a toss-up. If you handicap the Pelicans to win then you have to like the Over since they are third in Pace and score for the fourth most points per game. But if you like the Thunder then the Under suits you more because they’re 23rd in Pace, 10th in opponent’s points per game and have an O/U record of 25-28-1. I’m PASSING here.
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