New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction NBA Picks 4/21/24

Oklahoma City Thunder (57-25) vs New Orleans Pelicans (50-34)

Game Info: Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 9:30 pm (Paycom Center)

Betting Odds: Oklahoma City Thunder -350 / New Orleans Pelicans +275 --- Over/Under: 215.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder meet Sunday in Game 1 West NBA Playoffs action at the Paycom Center. Here’s a Pelicans vs Thunder prediction.

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview

The New Orleans Pelicans recently beat the Kings and Warriors, while losing to the Lakers twice. The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 115.1 points on 48.6 percent shooting and allowing 110.7 points on 46.4 percent shooting. Zion Williamson is averaging 22.9 points and 5.8 rebounds, while Brandon Ingram is averaging 20.8 points and 5.1 rebounds. CJ McCollum is the third double-digit scorer and Trey Murphy III is grabbing 4.9 rebounds. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 38.3 percent from beyond the arc and 77.1 percent from the free throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 34.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44 rebounds per game.

Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview

The Oklahoma City Thunder are coming off wins over the Hornets, Kings, Spurs, Bucks, and Mavericks. The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 120.1 points on 49.9 percent shooting and allowing 112.7 points on 45.5 percent shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 30.1 points and 6.2 assists, while Jalen Williams is averaging 19.1 points and 4 rebounds. Chet Holmgren is the third double-digit scorer and Josh Giddey is grabbing 6.4 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 38.9 percent from beyond the arc and 82.5 percent from the free throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 36.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42 rebounds per game.

Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for steals per game (2.0) this season.
Chet Holmgren rank 3rd amongst qualified players for steals + blocks per game (3.0) this season.

New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts

C.J. McCollum ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (3.6) this season.
Herb Jones ranks 12th amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.4) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

The Thunder rank T1st in the league for steals per game this season (8.5).
The Thunder rank T1st in the league for blocks per game this season (6.6).
The Pelicans rank 1st in the league for H1 opponent points per game this season (54.1).
The Pelicans rank 2nd in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (34.9%).

Pelicans vs Thunder prediction

The Thunder are getting a lot of love because they're at home, where 33-8 SU on the season. The Pelicans not having Zion Williamson also doesn't help. However, the Pelicans are still a good team that can put up a fight in this series, and they have 28 road wins. I get that OKC is the top seed in the West, and they're a sexy, young team that many expect to make a deep playoff run. However, I wouldn't write off the Pels in this series. Also, let's not act like OKC is a moneymaker lately. Give me the Pelicans the points.