Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction, Preview and Odds - 01/26/2024

Game Time: 8:00 pm ET, Friday, January 26, 2024

Venue:  Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA

Where to Watch:  BSNO

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Thunder +2, Pelicans -2; Over/Under:  239.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Thunder +2, Pelicans -2; Over/Under:  239.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Thunder +2, Pelicans -2; Over/Under:  239.5 points

Oklahoma City Thunder:  31-13 (1st place, Northwest Division)

New Orleans Pelicans:  26-18 (1st place, Southwest Division)

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Oklahoma City Thunder:  8-2 last 10

New Orleans Pelicans:  6-4 last 10

The Thunder are entering this game with a 31-13 record overall and they are 14-8 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game on a 4 game winning streak with wins coming against the Utah Jazz, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the San Antonio Spurs in their last game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team in points in that game with 32 while Aaron Wiggins was next on the team with 22 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team in assists in that game with 10 while Chet Holmgren led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 56.3% from the field, 45% from 3-point range, and 87.5% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 121.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 113.6 PPG against them. The Thunder have an ATS record of 29-14-1 this season and their O/U record is 26-18.

The Pelicans are entering this game with a 26-18 record overall and they are 14-9 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are entering this game off a win against the Utah Jazz in their last game. CJ McCollum led the team in points in that game with 33 while Herb Jones was next on the team with 22 points. Zion Williamson led the team in assists in that game with 11 while Jonas Valančiūnas led the team in rebounds with 12. They were 57.7% from the field, 50% from 3-point range, and 66.7% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 117.5 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 112.5 PPG against them. The Pelicans have an ATS record of 25-18-1 this season and their O/U record is 22-21-1.

The current betting odds have the Pelicans listed as a 2 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Pelicans have looked good in their games this season with their 26-18 record overall which has them surging up the standings in the West. They haven't looked bad in their home games this season with their 14-9 home record, but they haven't been as dominant on their home court as some of the other forces in the NBA. Meanwhile, the Thunder have looked great in their games this season with their 31-13 record overall which has them leading the West now and is also one of the best records in the entire NBA. The Thunder have also looked good in their road games with their 14-8 road record this season. The Thunder have improved a ton this season as they are leading the West right now and they have a lot of momentum on their side too with 4 wins in a row now. Being the best in the West will also put a bigger target on their back though and even though the Pelicans have struggled at times this season, they have been getting hot lately as they look to climb the standings. The Pelicans have a lot of talent in their starting lineup and they have the kind of team that can beat the Thunder on their home court when they bring their best effort. The best way to place a bet here is on the Pelicans to cover the spread in this game. 

Thunder Pelicans Prediction:  Our NBA Pick for Friday, January 26, 2024 (8:00 pm ET start time) is Pelicans 124 Thunder 118.

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Oklahoma City Thunder: 29-14 ATS in all games. 10-4 ATS as an underdog. 28-14 ATS against Southwest division opponents. 18-10 ATS after a game where they covered the spread. 6-3 UNDER as a road underdog of 6 points or less. 24-18 UNDER against Southwest division opponents. 10-3 UNDER off a road win.

New Orleans Pelicans: 7-15 ATS after scoring 136 points or more. 3-6 ATS after a combined score of 225 points or more. 10-5 UNDER when the line is +3 to -3. 24-11 UNDER in a home game where the total is greater than or equal to 230. 11-6 UNDER after a win by 10 points or more.

Oklahoma City Thunder:  O. Sarr (C) Ques Fri - Hip.

New Orleans Pelicans:  M. Ryan (SF) Mid Feb - Elbow.

“Early in the game, their weak side was collapsing on like every drive. Just randomly, it wasn’t like a rotation, especially Victor. He would just come in on every drive and try to block it. I think we got caught a couple of times early in the game and then once we started not taking the bait and moving it, they were spread out and we were able to get layups later in the game.” - Shai Gilgeous Alexander after their win against the Spurs in their game on Wednesday.

“It was just an incredible performance by the guys in that locker room, sharing the basketball, rebounding. CJ ignited the whole group. He got us going early. It’s extremely gratifying to see the team buy into what we’re trying to accomplish. It’s great for them to continue to trust that if the shots are open for us, we’re going to take them.” - Willie Green after his team’s win against the Jazz in their game on Tuesday.

PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

SG Josh Giddey

SF Luguentz Dort

PF Jalen Williams

C Chet Holmgren

PG CJ McCollum

SG Brandon Ingram

SF Herbert Jones

PF Zion Williamson

C Jonas Valanciunas

PPG: S. Gilgeous-Alexander (31.1)

APG: S. Gilgeous-Alexander (6.4)

Reb/G: C. Holmgren (7.3)

PPG: Z. Williamson (21.9)

APG: B. Ingram (5.7)

Reb/G: J. Valanciunas (9.6)

Coaches:

Oklahoma City Thunder: Mark Daigneault (4th season)

New Orleans Pelicans: Willie Green (3rd season)