Free NBA Pick: Pelicans vs. Thunder NBA Odds
Looking for New Orleans Pelicans vs. Oklahoma City Thunder free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Pelicans taking on the Thunder on Thursday, December 31st, 2020 at Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA playoff hoops predictions like this Pelicans Thunder matchup.
(2-2) New Orleans Pelicans vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (1-2)
Date: Thursday, December 31st
Time: 8:00PM EST
Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
NBA Moneyline Odds: Pelicans -200 | Thunder +195
NBA Betting Odds: Pelicans -5.5
NBA Betting Total: 214.5
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The annual New Year’s Eve match in Oklahoma City will feature the return of fan-favorite Steven Adams and his New Orleans Pelicans.
The Thunder own the all-time record with 36 wins in 61 matches. Last season the teams played four times with the Thunder sweeping the series.
New Orleans Pelicans
After beginning the season showcasing their youthful talents the New Orleans Pelicans got exposed by the Phoenix Suns who beat them soundly 111-86.
They’ll look to get back to winning ways facing a team most Western clubs consider the easy team to beat in the West this season. But, the Pelicans shouldn’t take the Thunder for granted as they’ve been in every game so far losing by a single point to the Jazz and hanging tough with the unbeaten Orlando Magic.
In the loss to the Suns, the Pelicans bench got outscored by 20 points (47 to 27). The Suns blew the game open in the middle frames taking the second quarter 35-15 and the third frame 34-17.
Brandon Ingram who has played exceptionally through the early parts of the season was held to 13 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Zion Williamson scored 20 but it was not even remotely enough to push the Pelicans over the top.
Steven Adams and Nickiel Alexander-Walker each scored 11 as the only other double-figure contributors.
Wenyen Gabriel (knee) and Will Magnay (personal) are questionable for Thursday.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The fact the Magic won isn’t surprising but that Oklahoma City sat both Al Horford as well as George Hill and only lost by 11 points might be the telling part of the Thunder equation.
Sure, this team will lose more than it wins but they still have a defensive identity. The Thunder also plays with offensive freedom with everyone having the green light to lead the drive up the floor on offense.
New head coach Mark Daigneault’s offense is predicated on positionless-ball so everyone is looking to carve out a niche within the squad and gain a spot on the future core.
In essence, everyone knows they want to lose games but at the same time the crew is enjoying the free-flowing offense and it makes for entertaining matches.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing well and acclimating to the primary scorer and leader easily. The one area he was struggling with was on the perimeter but he was a perfect 3 of 3 versus the Magic on route to 23 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists.
A game after recording his career-high, Luguentz Dort scored 15. Isaiah Roby got the start in place of Horford scoring 19 while Mike Muscala (14) and Hamidou Diallo (13) were the other double-figure scorers.
George Hill (neck spasms), Ty Jerome (ankle), Darius Miller (Achilles) are all questionable for Thursday while Trevor Ariza (personal) is still not with the team.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Under is 12-2 in NO last 14 overall.
- Over is 7-1 in OKC last 8 home games.
- Under is 11-5-1 in OKC last 17 vs. NBA Southwest
Free New Orleans Pelicans vs. Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Prediction:
While the Thunder got a late start to the season given the initial Rockets match being postponed they’ve made up for lost time quickly playing their third match in four days.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Pelicans -5.5
In the Steven Adams homecoming, it feels like the Big Kiwi will be celebrating more than a New Year in OKC.
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