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, April 21st, at Paycom Center, Oklahoma City Oklahoma. 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.
2023 NBA Handicapping New Orleans Pelicans vs. OKC Thunder
(50-34) New Orleans Pelicans vs. OKC Thunder (57-25)
Date: Sunday, April 21st
Time: 9:30 PM ET
Venue: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Moneyline NBA Odds: Pelicans +280 | Thunder -330 (Bet Now!)
NBA ATS Betting Odds: Thunder -8.5
Today’s NBA Betting Total (O/U): 215
- *Click Here* Check out our Live Betting Odds for this New Orleans Pelicans vs. OKC Thunder game!
- *Click Here* Check out our Updated Sportsbook Bonuses for today!
- SCROLL DOWN FOR our Pelicans Thunder Free Pick!
The NBA playoff prime-time match on Sunday features the eighth-seeded New Orleans Pelicans on the road to their hosts the Western Conference top-seeded OKC Thunder.
New Orleans gained their berth via a play-in win versus the Kings while the Thunder battled the Nuggets and Timberwolves right up to the final day of games to earn the top seed.
Season Series
The Pelicans won three of the four matches between the Western Conference rivals last season but the Thunder reversed the fortune this season taking two of the three contests. Oklahoma City holds the all-time record between the squads with 42 victories in 74 matches.
This is the first time in franchise history these clubs will face each other in the postseason.
New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson has never played in the postseason (not counting play-in matches) and things won’t change to start this series as he sustained a hamstring injury in the play-in match versus the Lakers.
That puts extra pressure on Brandon Ingram to perform and he’ll need assistance from Trey Murphy III and CJ McCollum to carry the offensive load.
New Orleans is one of the deeper rosters so Willie Green will need to rely on that advantage in order to make this a series.
Pelicans Stats
The Pelicans rank 11th offensively (116.5), and sixth defensively (111.9) while posting a plus +4.6 net differential that also ranks sixth overall.
New Orleans rode just above the middle with a 44-38-2 record against the spread through 84 contests.
Pelicans Injury Report
To summarize the injury report…
- Zion Williamson, PF (OUT indefinitely— hamstring)
OKC Thunder
There remain doubters of the Thunder despite them winning the Western Conference. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander likely won’t win the MVP but his performance this season certainly provided solid reasoning to consider him.
Down the stretch, OKC elected to rest SGA which proved to be smart given he returned in time to get his rhythm back and still allowed the Thunder to claim the top seed.
Critics will point to the inexperience of this team but SGA was the player who led the Canadian team to a bronze medal in the World Championships this summer and all season these youngsters have performed more like a veteran team not getting flustered easily.
Thunder Stats
The Thunder ranks third on offense (118.3), and fourth on defense (111.0) while they offer a plus +7.3 net differential registering second overall.
In terms of the Thunder’s performance against the spread, they are one of the better bets this season with a 46-35-1 record.
Thunder Injury Report
To summarize the injury report…
- NO injuries reported
NBA Bettors we want to hear from you. Comment below. Give us your New Orleans Pelicans vs. OKC Thunder NBA picks!
Nuggets vs. Thunder NBA Betting Trends:
- All in all, the Pelicans are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Orleans’ last 8 games.
- Also, the Pelicans are 4-7 ATS in their last 10 games.
- By comparison, the Thunder are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games.
- The Thunder are 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games.
- Additionally, Oklahoma City is 7-1 SU in their last 8 games at home.
Free New Orleans Pelicans vs. OKC Thunder NBA Prediction:
This isn’t your typical one-eight matchup with both teams featuring youth and not a ton of playoff experience. OKC ranks in the top five on both sides of the court while the Pelicans just missed out on ranking top-10 (11th on offense) in those areas.
The key for the Thunder will be to transfer that unflappable nature they played with throughout the season and not underestimate the Pelicans despite Williamson being out.
If Mark Daigneault wants to motivate his youngsters he should compile some of the ridiculous commentary like Shannon Sharpe calling them the weakest top seed ever. That should fire up his group and while I expect a competitive series I’m taking OKC to win this first game and set the standard.
4* Free New Orleans Pelicans vs. OKC Thunder NBA Betting Pick: Pelicans +8.5
Best Sportsbooks For New Orleans Pelicans vs. OKC Thunder NBA Gambling Today!
In Canada? Try Bodog!
NBA Tweet Of The Day
The energy is building in OKC ⚡️
24 hours until Thunder Playoff basketball returns to @PaycomCenter 🕣#ThunderUp pic.twitter.com/JOn8V9EFst
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 21, 2024
Lastly, if you’re looking for more NBA picks like this New Orleans Pelicans vs. OKC Thunder matchup we’ll be providing 4* free NBA predictions on the blog during the entire NBA season, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NBA predictions!
Register here for a FREE NBA Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers! Check out our Linktr.ee!