Two Western Conference teams at opposite ends of the spectrum face off in New Orleans Thursday as the Thunder meet the Pelicans in NOLA. The Thunder lead the all time series 32-24, and have won 7 of the last 10 matchups head to head.
OKC is coming off a 120-111 win over the Trailblazers at home on Monday. Last Thursday (2/7) they beat the Grizzlies at home 117-95, and on Saturday (2/9) they beat the Rockets 117-112 in Houston.
New Orleans is coming of a 118-88 loss to the Magic at home on Tuesday. Last Friday (2/8) they beat the Timberwolves 122-117 at home, and on Saturday (2/9) they lost 99-90 to the Grizzlies in Memphis.
On the season, OKC is 33-23 ATS, 17-12 ATS on the road, and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games. On the season, New Orleans is 37-30-1 ATS, 13-14 ATS at home, and 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games.
BetOnline has the Thunder as 3.5 point favourites with an O/U total of 237.
Oklahoma City averages 115.3 PPG, 47.9 RPG, 12.1 ORPG, 23.3 APG, 10.3 SPG, 5.3 BPG, and 14.2 TPG. As a team they shoot 46.2% from the field, 71.5% from the free throw line, and 35.5% from 3 point range. Defensively they hold teams to 109.8 PPG, 45.2 RPG, 45.7% shooting from the field, and 34.5% shooting from 3 point range.
They are led by swingman Paul George who averages 28.7 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 4.1 APG, 2.3 SPG, and 0.5 BPG while shooting 45.4% from the field, 83.6% from the free throw line, and 41.3% from 3 point range. Russell Westbrook fills up the stat sheet with 21.2 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 11.2 APG, and 2.2 SPG while shooting 41.2/65.1/24.4. Steven Adams chips in 14.9 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 4.5 ORPG, 1.6 SPG, 0.8 BPG, and 60.9% shooting from the field. Dennis Schroder (15.7 PPG/3.4 RPG/4.1 APG/0.9 SPG), Jerami Grant (13.1 PPG/5.1 RPG/0.9 SPG/1.4 BPG), Terrance Ferguson (6.8 PPG/1.8 RPG/0.6 SPG/38.7% from 3), and Nerlens Noel (4.8 PPG/4.6 RPG/1.0 SPG/1.4 BPG) are contributors as well
Key Injuries
F Jerami Grant (ankle) – game time decision
G Dennis Schroder (personal) – game time decision
G Andre Roberson (knee) – out
New Orleans averages 115.3 PPG, 46.9 RPG, 10.9 ORPG, 26.6 APG, 7.1 SPG, 5.7 BPG, and 14.3 TPG. As a team they shoot 47.6% from the field, 77.3% from the free throw line, and 34.6% from 3 point range. Defensively they hold teams to 114.7 PPG, 44.7 RPG, 46.3% shooting from the field, and 36.7% shooting from 3.
Anthony Davis carries the load with 28.5 PPG, 13.1 RPG, 3.2 ORPG, 4.2 APG, 1.6 SPG, and 2.6 BPG while shooting 50.8% from the field, 81.0% from the free throw line, and 32.0% from 3 point range. Jrue Holiday contributes 20.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 8.0 APG, and 1.6 SPG while shooting 17.1/76.3/31.7. Julius Randle adds 16.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, and 0.8 BPG. E’Twaun Moore (9.8 PPG/3.7 RPG/5.8 APG/1.2 SPG), Darius Miller (8.0 PPG/1.8 RPG/1.8 APG/37.3% from 3), Jahlil Okafor (7.8 PPG/4.7 RPG/0.7 BPG/59.4% from the field), and Tim Frazier (5.1 PPG/3.0 RPG/4.4 APG) play big minutes as well.
Key Injuries
G Elfrid Payton (ankle) – game time decision
The Pelicans are a top heavy team, especially with the departure of Niko Mirotic, leaving Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, and Julius Randle to shoulder the load almost exclusively on offense. The Thunder match up well with their trio, with Jerami Grant capable of slowing down Anthony Davis and the duo of Westbrook and Paul George are more than capable of stifling the Pelicans backcourt.
The Thunder force a lot of turnovers, and the Pelicans are one of the worst teams in the Association when it comes to opposing points off turnovers and opposing fast break points. The Pelicans have the firepower to stick around with OKC for the majority of the game, but the Thunder are playing primo ball right now, and are capable of winning this one by a sizable margin. 3.5 points is pretty generous for New Orleans, and OKC should have no issue covering here.
Final Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder (-3.5)
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