Free NBA Pick: Pelicans vs. Thunder NBA Odds
Looking for New Orleans Pelicans vs. OKC Thunder free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Pelicans taking on the Thunder on Sunday, December 26th, 2021 at Paycom Center. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Pelicans-Thunder matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(12-21) New Orleans Pelicans vs. OKC Thunder (11-20)
Date: Sunday, December 26th, 2021
Time: 7:00 PM EST
Venue: Paycom Center
NBA Moneyline Odds: Pelicans -120 | Thunder +100 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Pelicans +1 / Thunder -1
NBA Betting Total: 209.5
The New Orleans Pelicans will be on the road to take on the OKC Thunder.
The tip-off is set for 7:00 ET from Paycom Center.
New Orleans actually started off as a 1 point favorite and now they are a 1 point underdog. The total has stayed right around 209.5.
New Orleans Pelicans
I have not been all that impressed with the way the Pelicans have played this year. As the year goes on, I really do not see them getting all that much better.
Believe it not, this team has won four games in a row. If they are on their game, they should be able to make it a fifth in a row.
Of course, a big loss for this team has been Zion Williamson. I do not feel they would be great with him in the lineup, but they would certainly be better than they have been.
If this team wants to be a true contender, they are going to have to acquire at least two very good players. As they are presently constructed, they do not have enough to contend in a very good Western Conference.
New Orleans beat the Orlando Magic on December 24th by a score of 110-104. They did just what they had to do against a team that was very short-handed.
Brandon Ingram was the leading scorer for them in the win over Orlando with 31 points and 6 rebounds. I have been very impressed with the way he has played this year.
OKC Thunder
The Thunder have been pretty bad this year. They certainly have been one of the worst teams in basketball.
Oklahoma City has a record of 11-20, which puts them in 14th place in the Western Conference. It is going to be hard for them to dig themselves out of that hole.
When it comes to other teams in the league, this team does not have the talent to stack up with them. In a league where talent is pretty much everything, it is hard to have success when you simply do not have players who are good enough.
This club lost to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday by a score of 113-101. I was surprised that it was not by more, frankly.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team in scoring over Phoenix with 29 points, 5 boards, and 7 dimes. He has been one of the few bright spots for this team in 2021.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Pelicans are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games.
- The Pelicans are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games.
- The Thunder are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games played on a Sunday.
- The total has gone under in 4 of OKC’s last 5 games at home.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. OKC Thunder NBA Analysis:
Even though they have not had a great season, the Pelicans have been playing some good ball as of late. It will be interesting to see if they can keep that up.
If you are New Orleans, the Thunder are a team you need to be able to beat. It would be a bad look if they did not come out with a victory in this one.
A key for OKC will be stopping Brandon Ingram, which is no easy task. He has been playing at a very high level.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Pelicans ATS
In this spot, I look for the Pelicans to keep up their recent good play. I would not be surprised if they are too much for the Thunder to handle in this ball game.
I like the fact that the Pelicans are getting points in this one. I feel they are the better team here and I really do not trust the Thunder, so I like the road to team cover as a slight dog here.
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