The Oklahoma City Thunder (32-22) look to lengthen their seven-game road winning streak in a matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans (23-31) at Smoothie King Center. The game can be seen on Fox Sports – New Orleans at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 13, 2020.
Oklahoma City Thunder at New Orleans Pelicans Betting Prediction
In the Thunder’s last game, they were 8-point favorites and were defeated by the San Antonio Spurs, 114-106. The game’s combined points (220) came in just over the projected point total of 219.5. San Antonio made good use of their 27 trips to the free throw line, converting on 25 of them (92.6 percent). Oklahoma City, on the other hand, was 17-21 (81.0 percent). Chris Paul was the game’s high scorer with 31 points on 12-for-18 shooting.
The Pelicans won big over the Portland Trail Blazers in their last contest, 138-117, comfortably covering as 3-point favorites. The game’s combined points (255) finished well over the O/U total of 240. The Pelicans had an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 33.3 (above their season average of 23.8) and had a free throw rate of 0.283 (above their season average of 0.182). Zion Williamson was the game’s top scorer with 31 points on 10-for-17 shooting from the field.
Opposite tempos will be on display in this matchup. New Orleans has preferred a fast-paced style of play (fourth in possessions per game), while Oklahoma City has been more methodical (25th in possessions per game). Moreover, the Thunder are among the NBA’s elite at getting to the line, ranking first in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.232). The Pelicans, meanhwile, rank 22nd at keeping opponents off the charity stripe with an opponents’ FTA rate of 0.215.
Oklahoma City holds records of 32-22 straight up (SU) and 34-19-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Thunder games, with 29 unders compared to 25 overs.
Meanwhile, New Orleans is 23-31 SU and 26-24-4 ATS. Games involving the Pelicans tend to finish over the total (57.4 percent).
The Thunder have emerged victorious in all three contests against the Pelicans this year, including a close 107-104 victory in their last matchup. Oklahoma City covered as a 3-point underdog and the game finished with a total of 211 points, which was 15.5 points below the projected point total of 226.5 points. The Thunder knocked down 20 of their 26 free throws (76.9 percent) and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (11.6 vs. 6.7). Danilo Gallinari put up a double-double in the victory with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
Thunder at Pelicans Pick
NBA Prediction: ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
New Orleans ranks seventh in second chance points per game (14.1) while Oklahoma City ranks last (10.9).
New Orleans ranks fifth in rebounds per game (46.6) while Oklahoma City ranks 21st (43.1).
The Thunder rank 17th in points allowed in the paint per game (49.0) while the Pelicans rank 27th (53.0).
Oklahoma City is 20-5 ATS on the road, while New Orleans is 14-13 ATS at home.
In its last five outings, Oklahoma City is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
New Orleans is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over its last five games.
The Thunder’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.6, down from 2.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 120.8 points per game (5.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 118.0 points per game (0.8 above their season average).