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)
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.
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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.
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