OKC Looks to Reclaim the West | Thunder vs. Pelicans | OSB
NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder (49-21) at New Orleans Pelicans (44-27)
By Sam Batz
When: Tuesday, March 26th at 7:30 PM EST
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Watch On: Bally Sports
Matchup: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans
As the NBA playoffs creep closer, the regular season is heating up with several key matchups that could determine the fate of the postseason. One such matchup is Tuesday’s can’t miss contest between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New Orleans Pelicans. The Thunder are vying for the top-spot in the West, and while OKC has clinched a play-in spot, the Thunder have eyes on their first Western Conference title since 12 years. The Pelicans are 5th in the West, and while they haven’t officially clinched a spot in the postseason, New Orleans is picking up steam with 8 wins in their last 10 games. The season series between the Thunder and the Pelicans is tied 1-1, and with the spread set at +/- 1.5 points, there’s not much separating OKC and New Orleans.
Below you’ll find all of our picks for the Thunder vs. Pelicans game, including stats, scores, and advice. We’ll help you navigate the odds and provide helpful betting tips for Tuesday’s matchup between the Thunder and Pelicans.
Thunder vs. Pelicans Odds
Team | Spread | Total (O/U) | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
Oklahoma City Thunder | -1.5 (-110) | Ov 227 (-110) | -120 |
New Orleans Pelicans | +1.5 (-110) | Un 227 (-110) | +100 |
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Thunder vs. Pelicans Betting Trends
Oklahoma City Thunder
- 40-19-1 ATS
- 18-16-1 ATS on the road
- 36-31-3 O/U record
- 19-15-1 O/U record on the road
- 40-13 as FAVORITES
- 14-9 as FAVORITES on the road
New Orleans Pelicans
- 40-30-1 ATS
- 19-14 ATS at home
- 30-41 O/U record
- 15-18 O/U record at home
- 14-12 as UNDERDOGS
- 4-4 as UNDERDOGS at home
Thunder vs. Pelicans History
This Tuesday will mark the 74th all-time meeting between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New Orleans Pelicans. The Thunder lead the series 41-32 over the Pelicans, as it’s been a relatively even series throughout. This season, New Orleans won the first game 110-106 and Oklahoma City won the second game 107-83, as each side beat the other on the road. The Pelicans will play host on Tuesday, where New Orleans is 17-18 against the Thunder overall, but in their last 7 home games against OKC, the Pelicans are 1-6.
Thunder vs. Pelicans Game Predictions
Tuesday’s matchup between the Thunder and the Pelicans is going to be a hard fought Western Conference showdown, but the Thunder are the better team and I’m going with the favorites. OKC has the best point differential in the West (+7.4) and averages the most points per game in the conference (120.3). The Pelicans have a great defense, allowing the 3rd-fewest opponent points per game (110.4), and the Thunder will struggle to hit their scoring average, but while the defense has kept New Orleans afloat, the Pelicans are struggling with offensive efficiency. New Orleans averaged 112.6 points over their last 10 games, leaving a window for the Thunder to do what they do best, outscore the opposition.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder with 30.5 points per game, and while those numbers have put SGA in the running for MVP, the Thunder have a solid supporting cast around him. Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Josh Giddey all average 10+ points per game, and as a team the Thunder average 8.4 steals per game, 2nd-best in the NBA. The Pelicans have a tough starting five, led by 2019’s first overall pick Zion Williamson (22.6 PPG), but New Orleans’ 2nd-highest scorer Brandon Ingram (20.9 PPG) is out with a knee injury, leaving the Pelicans short handed against the highest scoring team in the conference. Again, it’ll be a close game, but the Thunder will take the win.
In summary, here are my picks for the Thunder vs. Pelicans Tuesday night matchup:
- Moneyline Pick: OKC Thunder (-120)
If you take the Thunder Moneyline (-120): You risk $120 to win $100, for a total payout of $220, if the Thunder win straight up.
- ATS Pick: OKC Thunder (-1.5)
If you take the Thunder to Cover the -1.5 Spread (-110): You risk $110 to win $100, for a total payout of $210, if the Thunder win the game by at least 2 points.
- O/U Pick: Under (227)
If you take the Under on 227 total points (-110): You risk $110 to win $100, for a total payout of $210, if the Thunder and Pelicans combine for less than 227 points.
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