The New Orleans Pelicans will head into enemy territory on Sunday to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder are undefeated so far this season, while the Pelicans are still searching for their first win of the year. OKC is a heavy favorite and will try to keep their perfect campaign going today. For a full breakdown of this matchup, including my Pelicans vs Thunder prediction, continue reading below.
Our Pelicans vs Thunder Pick
- Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder −12.5
- Confidence: ★★★★☆
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: New Orleans Pelicans @ Oklahoma City Thunder
- Date & Time: Sunday, November 2, 2025, 3:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Broadcast: NBA League Pass
Key Storylines
The Thunder arrive to this game off to a 6-0 start. They are allowing 110.3 points per game, while scoring 119.7 points per game and will try to be just as dominant in this game. The Pelicans are 0-5 and have allowed 123.6 points per game while scoring only 108.0 points per game. The gap between these teams is massive based on how they have played early in the year.
The Thunder are without guard Nikola Topic, forward Jalen Williams, and forward Chet Holmgren. The Pelicans are missing point guard Dejounte Murray and may also be without center Kevon Looney. The Thunder are a deeper team and will be better equipped to overcome their absences in this contest.
OKC is getting another MVP caliber season out of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander so far this year. SGA is averaging 34.2 points per game on the season and he should continue to tear up opposing defenses in this game. The question will be whether or not he will play deep enough into this game to put up big numbers, given how lopsided the game is expected to be.
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- This is the first of three regular-season meetings scheduled between the Thunder and Pelicans this year.
- Oklahoma City is 2-4 against the spread going into this matchup.
- New Orleans is 1-3-1 against the spread entering Sunday’s game.
- The Pelicans are 3-2 to the over through their first five games.
- Oklahoma City is 3-3 on their over/unders to this point in the season.
Best Player Props to Watch
| Player | Prop |
|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander (OKC) | Over 32.5 points |
| Jordan Poole (NOP) | Under 15.5 points |
| Zion Williamson (NOP) | Over 21.5 points |
Pelicans vs Thunder Model Projection
Score Projection: Oklahoma City 124 – New Orleans 108
Win Probability: Oklahoma City 88%, New Orleans 12%
Final Thoughts
The Thunder should steamroll the Pelicans in this matchup. The Pelicans have been a disaster on both ends of the floor and the mere presence of Zion Williamson on the court has not been enough for them to hang around in games. I’ll lay the points with OKC in this game, in what should be a lopsided matchup from Paycom Center.
