The Oklahoma City Thunder take on the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA Play-In Tournament on Wednesday night, with the loser being eliminated from any shot at the postseason. The winner of this game will advance to a matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night with the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs up for grabs.
New Orleans took this path to the postseason a year ago, winning two games in the play-in tournament to advance to the playoffs. This should be one of the great NBA matchups, so let’s take a closer look at the game and make our best Oklahoma City vs New Orleans prediction.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans Odds
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans Information
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Date and Time: Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 9:30 PM ET
How to Watch: ESPN
Recent Scores
New Orleans is hoping to repeat its regular-season success against Oklahoma City in this one, as they took three of the four matchups between the two teams.
Of course, the game on the NBA schedule today is for a little more than a regular-season win, and Oklahoma City took the most recent meeting in early March, so nothing is guaranteed as you make your NBA picks and parlays.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans Analysis
When determining your Oklahoma City vs New Orleans prediction, it’s good to note that it was the Thunder that got hot in the last couple of games of the season, winning twice to edge out the Dallas Mavericks for the 10th spot in the Western Conference standings. They may have the longest of NBA play in odds as the 10th seed, but they have been winning.
Oklahoma City also has the high-scoring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who ranked fourth in NBA player stats for scoring in the regular season with a 31.4-ppg average.
Gilgeous-Alexander can take over a game, with his all-around abilities (4.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.6 steals), and he runs an offense that was in the top five in NBA team stats in scoring at 117.5 points per game.
Thunder’s Rising Star Ready to Shine in Playoffs
The Thunder have another all-around threat in guard Josh Giddey, who averaged 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists in the regular season. The 20-year-old affects the game in many different ways, so the Pelicans will have to be cognizant of him throughout.
While the Pelicans won’t have Zion Williamson in their lineup, they do have a pair of dynamic scorers in Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum. Ingram only played 45 regular-season games, but he’s healthy now and averaged 24.7 points per contest this year. He averaged 27.0 points in the postseason a year ago, so he can turn it up when the lights are shining brightest.
McCollum also has plenty of playoff experience, having played for the Portland Trail Blazers in the postseason many years before coming to the Pelicans. McCollum averaged 20.9 points and 5.7 assists in his first full season with New Orleans this year.
Odds Breakdown
Oklahoma City Thunder
Moneyline: The visiting Thunder are considered the underdog for Wednesday’s contest, with the moneyline getting you +180 odds on them for a straight-up win.
Spread: This could be the best bet when you’re looking at the NBA odds, as Oklahoma City is getting 5.5 points at -110 odds and could likely keep this game close to the end.
Over/Under: The over/under is set at 227 points, which could be in jeopardy if the Thunder get their offense rolling in this one.
New Orleans Pelicans
Moneyline: The Pelicans will get you -220 odds if you want to take them to earn the straight-up victory and advance in the play-in tournament.
Spread: Giving 5.5 points and taking New Orleans on a point-spread bet gets you -110 odds.
Over/Under: The Pelicans are no slouches when it comes to scoring as well, so your best Oklahoma City vs New Orleans prediction could be to take the over.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Pick and Prediction
Although Oklahoma City has been playing well of late to reach this stage, we like New Orleans to win this game and advance to play Minnesota. Still, we like the Thunder to keep it close, so if you are getting the points, go with Oklahoma City.
Games have been high-scoring so far in the play-in tournament, so much like how many of your NBA playoffs predictions should go, take the over in this one.
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