New Orleans Pelicans (42-40) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (40-42)
Game Info: Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 9:30 pm (Smoothie King Center)
Betting Odds: New Orleans Pelicans -5.5 -- Over/Under: 228.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans meet Wednesday in the West NBA Play-In at the Smoothie King Center. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 117.5 points on 46.5 percent shooting and allowing 116.4 points on 47.4 percent shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.4 points and 5.5 assists, while Josh Giddey is averaging 16.6 points and 6.2 assists. Jalen Williams is the third double-digit scorer and Luguentz Dort is grabbing 4.6 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 35.6 percent from beyond the arc and 80.9 percent from the free throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 35.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.6 rebounds per game.
The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 114.4 points on 48 percent shooting and allowing 112.5 points on 47.2 percent shooting. Zion Williamson is averaging 26 points and 7 rebounds, while Brandon Ingram is averaging 24.7 points and 5.5 rebounds. CJ McCollum is the third double-digit scorer and Trey Murphy III is grabbing 3.6 rebounds. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 36.4 percent from beyond the arc and 79.3 percent from the free throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 33.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.7 rebounds per game.
The Thunder are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games and 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The Pelicans are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 home games and 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 games overall. The under is 4-1 in Thunder last 5 road games. The under is 20-7 in Pelicans last 27 overall. The Thunder are 6-0 ATS in the last 6 meetings in New Orleans and 10-4 ATS in the last 14 meetings.
The New Orleans Pelicans have grown on me all year, and I believe they could be a scare to any team they face in the playoffs. I think the Pels win this game. However, this is a lot of points to just throw the Oklahoma City Thunder. OKC is the third best covering team in the league, behind the Jazz and 76ers, and they lose as underdogs by an average of just 2 points. The Thunder lose on the road by an average of 3 points. The Thunder are a feisty team you make money backing, and they beat the Pelicans on the road a month ago. Give me the points in what should be an entertaining showdown.
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Randy’s Pick Oklahoma City Thunder +5.5
AUTHOR: Randy Chambers
Mitch's Take...
