OKC Prepares For a Deep Playoff Run | Pelicans vs. Thunder | OSB
NBA Playoffs: (8)New Orleans Pelicans at (1)OKC Thunder
By Sam Batz
When: Sunday, April 21st at 9:30 PM EST
Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Watch On: TNT
Matchup: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
The NBA playoffs are underway and this Sunday the No. 8 seed New Orleans Pelicans will take on the No. 1 seed OKC Thunder. As the 1-seed the Thunder are understandably favored, with oddsmakers giving the Thunder an 8-point cushion, but don’t underestimate the Pelicans. New Orleans is a great road team, winning 66.7% of their away games, and with a great defense that’s fueled the Pelicans playoff push, the Thunder could be on upset watch if they aren’t careful. OKC earned the No. 1 spot in the West, but they remain untested in the postseason. Needless to say, the Thunder have a lot to prove, and the Pelicans are hoping to teach them a lesson.
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Pelicans vs. Thunder Odds
Team | Spread | Total (O/U) | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
New Orleans Pelicans | +8.0 (-110) | Ov 215 (-110) | +278 |
OKC Thunder | -8.0 (-110) | Un 215 (-110) | -355 |
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Pelicans vs. Thunder Betting Trends
New Orleans Pelicans
- 45-38-1 ATS
- 24-17-1 ATS on the road
- 36-47-1 O/U record
- 16-25-1 O/U record on the road
- 18-14 as UNDERDOGS
- 13-8 as UNDERDOGS on the road
OKC Thunder
- 46-35-1 ATS
- 27-14 ATS at home
- 44-35-3 O/U record
- 20-19-2 O/U record at home
- 47-14 as FAVORITES
- 30-5 as FAVORITES at home
Pelicans vs. Thunder Stats
New Orleans Pelicans (49-33) 115.1 110.7 +4.4 48.6% 38.8% 44.0 12.4 116.5 (11th) 111.9 (6th) 21-19 (52.5%) 28-14 (66.7%) | Stat Type Points/Game Opponent Points/Game Point Diff Field Goal % Three-Point % Rebounds/Game Turnovers/Game Offensive Rating Defensive Rating Home Record (Win-Rate) Away Record (Win-Rate) | OKC Thunder (57-25) 120.1 112.7 +7.4 49.9% 38.9% 42.0 11.8 118.3 (3rd) 111.0 (4th) 33-8 (80.5%) 24-17 (58.5%) |
Pelicans vs. Thunder Head-to-Head History
- Regular & Post Season Games: 74 (2002-2024)
- All-time Series: Pelicans: 32 wins; Thunder: 42 wins
- Season Series: Thunder 2-1
Sunday’s playoff game will be the 75th all-time meeting between the Pelicans and Thunder. Starting in 2002, this is a relatively young series. The Thunder lead with 42 wins, while the Pels trail by 10 with 32 wins. OKC and New Orleans have never met in the playoffs, making Sunday’s contest their first meeting outside the regular season. This year the Thunder got the better of the Pelicans, posting a 2-1 record over New Orleans. OKC averaged 110.7 points per game, while the Pelicans averaged 101.7 points per game, a 9-point difference in favor of the Thunder.
Pelicans vs. Thunder Best Player Props
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; Under 28.5 points (-110)
Shai may have led the NBA with the most 30+ point performances this season (51), but SGA will struggle to eclipse the 30-point mark against the Pelicans suffocating defense. In his three previous matchups with the Pels, Shai averaged 25 points per game, 5.1 points below his season average (30.1 pts). SGA will still be the best option, but New Orleans’ stifling defense is hard to break, and under the bright lights of the playoffs SGA will be understandably nervous.
Jalen Williams;Over 1.5 threes (-105)
Williams is the 2nd-highest scorer on the Thunder, and with SGA likely to get a majority of the Pelicans defensive attention, Williams could find himself with space to work. He averages 19.1 points per game, and 19.7 points per game against the Pelicans, shooting 42.7% from three-point range. Williams will need to have a big series, but I’m expecting the budding All-Star to show up for his team, and in Game 1 Jalen Williams will knock down at least two threes.
Pelicans vs. Thunder Prediction
The OKC Thunder are young and inexperienced, but with home court advantage on their side in Game 1, I’m taking the Thunder over the Pelicans. OKC won 80% of their home games, and while the Pelicans are a decent road team with a 66.7% win-rate as visitors, an 80% win-rate typically generates favorable odds for the home team. A lot of people are excited about the Pelicans because of their defense, but they’re forgetting that OKC has the better defensive rating, as well as the 3rd best offensive rating. Pelicans leading scorer Zion Williamson (22.9 pts) has been ruled out for Game 1, leaving New Orleans without their best player against the best team in the conference. OKC is incredibly well-rounded, and in their first playoff appearance since 2020, the Thunder won’t disappoint.
Pelicans vs. Thunder predictions:
- Moneyline Pick: OKC Thunder (-355)
If you take the Thunder Moneyline (-355): You risk $355 to win $100, for a total payout of $455, if the Thunder win straight up.
- ATS Pick: New Orleans Pelicans (+8.0)
If you take the Pelicans to Cover the +8.0 Spread (-110): You risk $110 to win $100, for a total payout of $210, if the Pelicans win the game, or lose by less than 8 points.
- O/U Pick: Under (215)
If you take the Under on 215 total points (-110): You risk $110 to win $100, for a total payout of $210, if the Pelicans and Thunder combine for less than 215 points.
