The Oklahoma City Thunder have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA and can cap off a pre-All-Star break run that will give them 16 wins in 19 games if they can topple the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday. Both squads are trending OVER in this one, as the Pels have gone OVER in 11 of their past 14 games while the Thunder are 7-2 OVER/UNDER in their previous nine.
The Pelicans have played historically poor against the Thunder in recent matchups, dropping 16 of their last 21 contests with their Western Conference foes. Every game is going to be important from now on for New Orleans due to its ferocious playoff chase with the Utah Jazz for the eighth and final playoff spot. The Pels are coming off back-to-back wins over Minnesota and Utah to improve its positioning heading into the All-Star break.
Thunder superstar forward Kevin Durant is unsurprisingly red-hot, entering tonight’s game by scoring 20 or more points in 38 consecutive tilts. KD is averaging 36.3 points over his last three games.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Oklahoma City Thunder opened as -11-point favorites at online sportsbook Sportsbook, while the NBA total line was sitting around 220.5 at Sportsbook for those who prefer OVER/UNDER betting on the total amount of points scored.
Handicapping models based on recent betting stats and prediction formulas pick a 111-101 win for the Thunder. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NBA matchups here.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Oklahoma City Thunder sit at 39-14 (21-31-1 ATS) on the season; in comparison, the New Orleans Pelicans are currently 20-32 (22-30 ATS). Looking to bet on the points scored total? Oklahoma City is 24-29 OU and New Orleans is 25-26-1 OU. This season the Oklahoma City Thunder are 39-14 overall and 21-31-1 ATS against the number, while the New Orleans Pelicans are 20-32 and 22-30 ATS. As for the totals, Oklahoma City is 24-29 on the OU, and New Orleans is 25-26-1. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Oklahoma City vs New Orleans injuries news.
The power rankings show a disparity between these teams with the Oklahoma City Thunder rated this week at No. 6 and the New Orleans Pelicans sitting at No. 12.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Oklahoma City's No. 2-ranked offense averaging 109.89 PPG, against a New Orleans Pelicans defense that ranks No. 24 at 104.77 PPG. The Oklahoma City Thunder field goal percentage has averaged 47.56% so far, more than the New Orleans Pelicans shooters have achieved on the year, 44.7% per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Jrue Holiday scored 21 points leading the Pelicans to a 100-96 victory over Utah at Smoothie King Center on Wednesday.
The Thunder got a 32-point performance from Kevin Durant as Oklahoma City handed Phoenix a 122-106 defeat on Monday at Talking Stick Resort Arena.
Next Betting Matchups
New Orleans home to Philadelphia, Friday, February 19th
Oklahoma City home to Indiana, Friday, February 19th