Thunder vs. Pelicans Prediction & Odds
The tenth-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder head to New Orleans to face the 9th-seeded Pelicans on Wednesday night at 9:30 PM ET on ESPN in the first round of the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Can the Thunder cover the 5.5-point spread as road underdogs?
The Oklahoma City Thunder are 40-42 on the season. They are 4-6 in their last 10 games. The Thunder are 45-34-3 ATS on the year.
The New Orleans Pelicans are 42-40 on the season. They’re 7-3 in their last 10 games. The Pelicans are 39-41-2 ATS on the year.
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
567 Oklahoma City Thunder (+5.5) at 568 New Orleans Pelicans (-5.5); O/U 227
9:30 PM ET, Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Thunder vs. Pelicans Public Betting Information
Our NBA Public Betting Information page indicates that 59% of public bettors are currently backing the Thunder +5.5 in this contest. Note that these numbers are subject to change, so be sure to check the link to receive the most up-to-date public betting data.
Oklahoma City Thunder DFS Spin
Thunder power forward Aleksej Pokusevski will miss Wednesday’s tilt with New Orleans, as he’s dealing with a knee injury. Oklahoma City shooting guard Kenrich Williams will miss Wednesday’s game and the rest of the season with a left wrist injury. Pokusevski and Williams combined to average 16.1 points per game for the Thunder this season.
Oklahoma City shooting guard Josh Giddey has done a little bit of everything for the Thunder this season. Giddey is posting 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1 made three-pointer per game for Oklahoma City this year. Giddey could have some extra value in DFS if the Pelicans elect to put a smaller player on him as Giddey is 6’8” and leads the Thunder in rebounding this season.
New Orleans Pelicans DFS Spin
The Pelicans won’t have power forward Zion Williamson or point guard Jose Alvarado for the play-in game on Wednesday. Williamson has a hamstring injury and Alvarado is dealing with a leg injury. New Orleans power forward Larry Nance Jr. is questionable for the team’s clash with OKC on Wednesday, as he’s dealing with left ankle soreness.
Pelicans shooting guard Trey Murphy III has exploded in the month of April. In 5 games this month, the former first-round pick out of Virginia is pouring in 23.4 points per game while shooting an exemplary 50.7% from the field and 40% from deep. I’d strongly consider using Murphy in DFS on Wednesday because he will likely have several open shots as the Thunder seem likely to gear their defense toward stopping Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum.
Thunder vs. Pelicans NBA Betting Trends
Oklahoma City is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
Oklahoma City is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games.
New Orleans is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games against a team with a losing straight-up record.
New Orleans is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following an outright loss.
Thunder vs. Pelicans NBA Prediction
The Pelicans have been stellar at home of late. New Orleans is 4-1-1 in their last 6 home games and they are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games against a team with a road winning percentage less than .400. New Orleans is on a hot streak against the spread in the last three weeks as well as they are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 games overall. The public might be on Oklahoma City in this game, but I won’t be. I’ll lay the points with the Pelicans at home.
NBA BETTING PREDICTION: NEW ORLEANS PELICANS -5.5