New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction 1/27/2026 Today’s NBA Picks

The New Orleans Pelicans and the Oklahoma City Thunder collide at the Paycom Center on Tuesday night. Here’s a New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction. This article will include a New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Pick.

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview 

The New Orleans Pelicans have really been struggling as they’ve lost 14 of their last 18 games overall, but they are starting to turn things around. They are now aiming for a third straight victory after beating the Spurs in a 104-95 road win on Sunday. Zion Williamson and Saddiq Bey led the team with 24 points, 10 rebounds and four assists each, Trey Murphy III added 17 points with nine assists while Yves Missi chipped in with 10 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks off the bench.

As a team, the Pelicans shot 40 percent from the field and nine of 34 from the 3-point line, but this win was all about their effort on the defensive end. They dominated the second quarter by 31-19 to take the lead into halftime. They kept the pressure on until the lead grew to 20 points. 

Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview 

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have cooled off a bit recently as they’ve dropped three of their last five games overall. They will be hoping to snap a two-game skid after getting beaten by the Raptors in a 103-101 loss on Sunday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 24 points and six assists on eight of 11 shooting, Luguentz Dort added 19 points with eight rebounds while Kenrich Williams chipped in with 15 points off the bench.

As a team, the Thunder shot 44 percent from the field and 11 of 43 from the 3-point line as they struggled to get going, but they still looked to be in control when they held a five-point lead midway through the fourth quarter. However, they lost their focus for a second and allowed the Raptors to go on a crucial 12-3 run late in the game to slip away in the end. 

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win

• The Thunder have won each of their last 27 night games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
• The Pelicans have lost each of their last nine games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
• The Thunder have covered the spread in 10 of their last 11 games against the Pelicans following a loss.
• The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games against Thunder teams that held a winning record.

Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win

• The Pelicans have won three of their last four games as underdogs after winning as underdogs.
• The Thunder have lost two of their last three games as home favorites following a loss.
• The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last six games as road underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
• The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games at Paycom Center.

Total Points Facts

• Seven of the Pelicans’ last eight road games following a road win have gone OVER the total points line.
• Four of the Thunder’s last five games as favorites against the Pelicans have gone OVER the total points line.

Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts

• Isaiah Joe ranks 9th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per 36 minutes (3.9) this season.

New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts

• Zion Williamson ranks 2nd amongst qualified Forwards for FG% (57.9%) this season.
• Jeremiah Fears is one of only six players in the league to have recorded 7+ steals in a game this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Thunder rank 1st in the league for point differential per game this season (+12.9).
• The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent turnovers per game this season (17.5).
• The Pelicans rank 1st for points in the paint (2794) this season.
• The Pelicans rank 1st for points in the paint per game (58.2) this season.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction

The Pelicans are still playing without Dejounte Murray, while the Thunder have ruled out Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell, Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein to name a few. The Pelicans were always going to be massive underdogs in this matchup, but it’s fully justified as these teams have already met twice this season with both games resulting in blowout wins for the Thunder.

It’s hard to picture anything but another comfortable win for the Thunder, but the Pelicans have looked great in their last two games and I think they can at least avoid getting blown out in this one.

Peter Tran's Pick: New Orleans +14.5