New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction NBA Picks 11/13/24

The New Orleans Pelicans invade the Paycom Center to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday 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.

The New Orleans Pelicans have been in a major slump as they’ve lost eight of their last nine games overall and they will be hoping to put a halt to a five-game slide after falling painfully short to the Nets in a 107-105 home loss on Monday. Brandon Ingram led the team with 24 points and nine assists, Yves Missi added 17 points with 11 rebounds on seven of eight shooting while Jeremiah Robinson-Earl chipped in with 15 points on six of nine shooting off the bench. As a team, the Pelicans shot 44 percent from the field and 10 of 30 from the 3-point line as they poured in 34 points in the second quarter to lead for a majority of the game, until the Nets scored the final 1:05 on a 6-0 run to steal the game from them in a disappointing finish. 

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been in great form as they’ve won nine of their first 11 games of the season and they will be eager to stay hot after taking down the Clippers in a 134-128 home win on Monday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 45 points, nine assists, and five steals, Jalen Williams added 28 points with eight rebounds and six assists while Luguentz Dort chipped in with 19 points. As a team, the Thunder shot 51 percent from the field and 18 of 46 from the 3-point line as they took control of the contest with a 41-point explosion in the second quarter, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing as they did get a late scare despite leading by 20 points in the third quarter. 

Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win

• The Thunder have won each of their last 19 games at Paycom Center against teams that held a losing record.
• The Pelicans have lost each of their last seven games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games against Northwest Division opponents.
• The Thunder have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 games at Paycom Center against Southwest Division opponents that held a losing record.

The Pelicans are still missing a host of players including, Jose Alverado, Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, and Zion Williamson, while the Thunder are still missing Chet Holmgren for this one. The Pelicans haven’t been able to get going this season and now they are missing almost their entire starting lineup. In contrast, the Thunder are relatively healthy, they’ve been running through teams and they are coming off a win over the Clippers thanks to a season-high 45 points from Gilgeous-Alexander. The line is very hefty and the Pelicans were good in their last game, but the Thunder are on another level and I think they get the cover with ease at home.