Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Predictions & Odds

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Oklahoma City Thunder ATS Record: 45-34-3

New Orleans Pelicans ATS Record: 39-41-2

The New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder will compete in an elimination Play-In game to decide who will progress for the privilege of competing for the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs. The Oklahoma City Thunder finished the season tenth in the West with a 40-42 overall record and a 16-25 road record. The New Orleans Pelicans ended the regular season ninth in the West, with a 42-40 overall record and a solid 27-14 home record.

The Oklahoma City Thunder shocked teams with the pace and energy on both ends, averaging 117.5 points per game (5th in the NBA) while forcing 16.8 turnovers (1st in the NBA). The Thunder struggled offensively against the Pelicans this season, scoring just 109.0 points per game on 42.9% from the field and 32.1% from three-point range.

The New Orleans Pelicans may have struggled through the second half of the NBA season, but their trademark defense, which allows just 112.5 points per game (9th in the NBA) while limiting teams to just 41.8 rebounds (5th in the NBA) and 33.9% efficiency from three (1st in the NBA), remains their crucial threat. On the offensive side of the ball, the Pelicans need to be more responsible, as they averaged 16.0 turnovers per game through four meetings with the Thunder.

The Thunder and the Pelicans are set for a competitive game when they face off on Wednesday night. The quality of the offense when these teams match up is low, but in a season-defining game, the stars will define the outcome. The Pelicans should come out as the winner with a veteran roster led by an in-form and healthy Brandon Ingram.

Key Players & Stats

Look no further than Canadian star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander when considering the Oklahoma City Thunder's chances. He averaged 31.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists on 51.0% from the field and 34.5% from the three-point range. The Pelicans were one of Gilgeous-Alexander's favorite teams to play this season, averaging 33.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists on 45.7% from the field through four games. With an inexperienced roster and a definite mismatch in the paint, Gilgeous-Alexander needs to maintain his regular season production to push his Thunder to the next match of the Play-In Tournament.

Brandon Ingram may have only played 45 games this season, but he put up impressive averages of 24.7 points, 5.8 assists, and 5.5 rebounds on 48.4% from the field and 39.0% from three-point range. In Ingram's last 14 games to close the regular season, he posted averages of 28.6 points, 8.1 assists, and 6.6 rebounds on 51.1% from the field and 38.1% from three. When Ingram is engaged, the Pelicans perform at their best, and the Thunder doesn't have one player that can limit his game.