The New Orleans Pelicans (22-26) and their sensational offense travel to Oklahoma City as 11.5-point underdogs to take on the Thunder (29-18) and their superb defense. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 237 points and it will air on Fox Sports – New Orleans at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 24, 2019.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Odds
In the Thunder’s last game, they were victorious over the Portland Trail Blazers, 123-114, covering as 4-point favorites. The Pelicans, on the other hand, were defeated by the Detroit Pistons, 98-94, and failed to cover as 3-point underdogs. The Oklahoma City game finished 13 points over the projected point total of 224, while the New Orleans game went 29.5 points under the projected point total of 221.5.
Oklahoma City dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a great turnover percentage of 9.1 (better than their season average of 11.9) and a free throw rate of 0.306 (above their season average of 0.196). For those same stats, Portland was 15.4 and 0.189, respectively. New Orleans, meanwhile, held Detroit to an effective field goal percentage of 0.478 (below the 0.530 mark opponents have averaged against New Orleans this season). Oklahoma City received a boost from Russell Westbrook, who racked up 29 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds. This gave him his 13th triple-double of the year. Jrue Holiday, meanwhile fueled New Orleans with 29 points, seven assists and five rebounds.
The Pelicans had the upper hand in the most recent game, a 118-114 victory, to even the season series at one. Anthony Davis recorded a double-double with 44 points and 18 rebounds. New Orleans’ rebounding was their largest advantage. The Pelicans had 17 offensive rebounds and 56 total rebounds, while the Thunder had nine and 39, respectively. New Orleans covered as a 2.5-point underdog and the two teams combined to score 232 points, which was just under the projected point total of 234.
Of the Pelicans’ 47 games that accepted bets, 24 have finished over the total. New Orleans comes into the contest with records of 22-26 straight up (SU) and 21-25-1 against the spread (ATS).
A little over half of Thunder games have finished over the total. Additionally, Oklahoma City is 29-18 SU and 26-21 ATS.
The offensive glass should be a huge edge for Oklahoma City in this showdown. The Thunder rank second in offensive rebounding percentage (26.3 percent), while New Orleans ranks 17th in defensive rebounding percentage (76.9 percent). Additionally, the Pelicans’ fifth-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 111.4) will face off against the Thunder’s fifth-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 103.5).
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Pelicans rank sixth in rebounds per game (46.9) while the Thunder rank 19th in rebounds allowed per game (45.4).
- Oklahoma City ranks first in steals per game (10.4) while New Orleans ranks 24th in steals allowed per game (8.4).
- The Thunder average 20.8 points off turnovers per game, which ranks second in the league. The Pelicans rank 19th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.3).
- Oklahoma City ranks 11th in three pointers allowed per game (30.5) while New Orleans ranks 27th (33.8).
- Oklahoma City ranks second in second chance points per game (15.1) while New Orleans ranks 16th in second chance points allowed per game (13.4).
- The Thunder average 18.1 fast break points per game, which ranks fifth in the NBA. The Pelicans rank 23rd in fast break points allowed per game (14.6).
- The Pelicans rank first in points in the paint per game (58.0) while the Thunder rank 17th in points allowed in the paint per game (49.1).
- New Orleans ranks sixth in blocks per game (5.6) while Oklahoma City ranks 12th in blocks allowed per game (5.0).
- New Orleans ranks fourth in assists per game (26.7) while Oklahoma City ranks 22nd (22.9).
- When holding opponents below 100 points, Oklahoma City is 6-0 and New Orleans is 5-1.
- The Pelicans are 22-23 when they score over 100 points, while the Thunder are 27-12.
- Oklahoma City is 12-10 ATS at home, while New Orleans is 10-15-1 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 14 of the Pelicans’ 26 road games, while 14 of the Thunder’s 22 home games have gone over.
Bettings Trends:
- The Thunder are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Pelicans are 2-2-1.
- In their last five games, Oklahoma City has 4 overs and 1 under, while New Orleans has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 124.2 points per game (10.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 123.6 points per game (14.5 above their season average).
- The Pelicans have been outscored by an average of 0.6 points in their last five games. On the season, New Orleans has defeated opponents by an average of 1.9 points.
