NBA Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Preview and Prediction

Date/Time: 02-14-2019, 20:00 EDT

Spread: New Orleans Pelicans +4.5

Total: +237

In this all-Western showdown we have a battle between two squads sitting on opposite sides of the conference table when the streaky Oklahoma City Thunder, looking to extend their current winning streak, are visiting the New Orleans Pelicans, who have lost their last two games and are looking to bounce back.

Thunder are 37-19 so far in the league and are sitting on the 3^rd place of the Western Conference. They are 11-1 in their last 12 games and in their latest matchup they were victorious against Portland at home, 120-111. Pelicans are 25-33 so far in the league and are sitting on the 13^th place of the Western Conference. They have lost their last two games and in their latest matchup they were defeated by Orlando at home, 88-118.

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Oklahoma City are led in scoring by Paul George with 28.7 ppg. He also adds 8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game, while Russell Westbrook follows with 21.2 ppg and leads the team both in assists with 11.2 and in rebounding with 11.1 per game. Dennis Schroder adds 15.7 ppg and 4.1 assists off the bench. New Orleans are led in scoring by Anthony Davis with 28.5 ppg. He also adds 4.2 assists and leads the team in rebounding with 13.1 per game, while Jrue Holiday follows with 20.9 ppg, adding 5.1 rebounds and leading the team in assists made with 8 per game. Julius Randle adds 19.9 ppg and 9.1 rebounds per game.

This will be the 4^th meeting between those two teams so far this season, with Oklahoma leading 2-1 wins. In the previous game in New Orleans the hosts won by 4 points. New Orleans are 16-11 at home, while Oklahoma City are 17-12 on the road. Both squads have identical offenses, scoring 115.3 ppg each, while Oklahoma City have a better defense, allowing 109.8 ppg to New Orleans’ 114.7 ppg. New Orleans have a better accuracy from the field (47.6% to 46.2%), while Oklahoma City have a better accuracy from behind the arc (35.5% to 34.6%). Oklahoma City grab more rebounds (47.9 to 46.9), while New Orleans dish more assists (26.6 to 23.3) and both squads commit the same number of turnovers (13.9). Oklahoma have been red-hot lately and New Orleans don’t pose a threat even at home, so pick the guests for the win today.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder -4.5 (-106)