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Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction NBA Picks 12/7/24
Pick details
New Orleans Pelicans (5-18) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (17-5)
December 7, 2024 at 07:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: New Orleans Pelicans +7.5 — Over/Under: 226
The Oklahoma City Thunder and the New Orleans Pelicans collide at the Smoothie King Center on Saturday night. Here’s an Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction. This article will include an Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Pick.
Oklahoma City ThunderÂ
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been in fine form as they’ve won six of their past seven games overall and they will be eager to keep it going after making light work of the Raptors in a 129-92 road win on Thursday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 30 points and five assists, Jalen Williams added 20 points while Isaiah Joe chipped in with 16 points. As a team, the Thunder shot 48 percent from the field and 17 of 47 from the 3-point line as they jumped all over the Raptors from the start and were never in danger after dominating the first half by 67-42. Luguentz Dort had a rough game of just six points on three of 12 shooting from the field, but he was hardly needed as the game was wrapped up before halftime, allowing the Thunder to rest their starters early.Â
New Orleans PelicansÂ
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been in terrible form as they’ve lost 15 of their last 17 games overall, but they will be feeling much better after snapping a nine-game losing streak with a 126-124 win over the Suns on Thursday. Brandon Ingram led the team with 29 points, seven rebounds and three assists on 10 of 19 shooting, CJ McCollum added 25 points with six assists while Trey Murphy chipped in with 19 points off the bench. As a team, the Pelicans shot 49 percent from the field and 14 of 36 from the 3-point line as they struggled to get going and scored just 20 points in the second quarter to trail by 13 points before they exploded for 45 points in the third quarter to reclaim the lead and set up the upset victory at home.Â
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last seven road games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last six night games against Thunder teams that held a winning record.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in each of their last 11 road games against the Pelicans.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five home games against Thunder teams that held a winning record.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Thunder’s last nine games as road favorites following a road win have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Pelicans’ last eight night games against Northwest Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- C.J. McCollum ranks 23rd amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (2.9) this season.
- Trey Murphy III ranks 10th amongst qualified Forwards for three-pointers made Per Game (2.6) this season.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Luguentz Dort ranks T21st in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (0.9) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The New Orleans Pelicans are the only team to lose a home game against the Raptors this season.
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for true shooting percentage this season (53.0%).
- The Thunder rank 30th in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (13.1).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for steals per game this season (12.0).
Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
The Thunder are still missing Jaylin Williams and Chet Holmgren, while the Pelicans are still without Zion Williamson, Jose Alverado, and Jordan Hawkins. The Pelicans were able to snap out of their funk with a much-needed win over the shorthanded Suns in their last game, but they were absolutely ice-cold before that win, so I am definitely more interested in the Thunder to stay hot with another big win in this spot.
