Oklahoma City Thunder at New Orleans Pelicans odds, picks and predictions

Nathan Beighle | Staff Writer

The New Orleans Pelicans (26-18) welcome the Oklahoma City Thunder (31-13) to the Smoothie King Center Friday. Tip is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let's analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Thunder vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: Pelicans lead 1-0

The Pelicans beat the Thunder 110-106 in Oklahoma City on Nov. 1, 2023, despite closing as 3.5-point underdogs. Oklahoma City is coming off a 140-114 road win over the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday, covering as a 9-point favorite. It has covered 3 of its last 4 and 6 of its last 9. The Thunder are 29-15 ATS on the season.

The Pelicans destroyed the Utah Jazz 153-124 at home Tuesday, covering as 6.5-point favorites. New Orleans is 25-18 ATS on the season and 5-4 ATS over its last 9. The Pelicans are just 2-2 straight up over their last 4 home games. They are led by F Zion Williamson, who is averaging 21.9 points per game.

Thunder at Pelicans odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Thunder +104 (bet $100 to win $104) | Pelicans -122 (bet $122 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Thunder +2 (-112) | Pelicans -2 (-108)
Over/Under (O/U): 240.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Thunder at Pelicans key injuries

Thunder

None

Pelicans

None

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Thunder at Pelicans picks and predictions

Prediction

Pelicans 124, Thunder 118

Moneyline

PASS.

The Pelicans (-122) haven't had a game end within 1 or 2 points since Dec. 26, and they haven't won a game by 1 or 2 yet this season. The value is better on the spread than the juiced moneyline.

Against the spread

BET PELICANS -2 (-108).

New Orleans has covered in 4 of its last 6 home games and has the size, especially in C Jonas Valanciunas, to bully the Thunder's big men in the paint. The Pelicans also have the defense with F Herbert Jones to tame superstar G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Thunder are 1 of the best covering teams in the NBA but are 3-3 ATS in their last 6. OKC ranks 29th in defensive rebounding rate, so that size disadvantage could provide too many 2nd-chance opportunities.

Expect New Orleans to capitalize, and take it to cover here. Back PELICANS -2 (-108).

Over/Under

LEAN OVER 240.5 (-110).

Both teams have strong offensive playmakers, and both teams are capable of pushing the pace. New Orleans sits 14th in pace, with Oklahoma City 7th. The tempo of this game should be fast, and the Pelicans will get ample 2nd-chance opportunities.

The Pelicans have gone Over in 5 of their last 7, scoring at least 130 in 2 of their last 3. The Thunder are 26-18 O/U on the season and 8-5 O/U in their last 13. They have scored 130 or more in 2 of their last 4.

Back OVER 240.5 (-110).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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