Pelicans vs Thunder Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Friday, December 23rd

Check out our free Pelicans vs Thunder pick and preview for this NBA game in Oklahoma City. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.

Pelicans vs Thunder NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: New Orleans Pelicans at Oklahoma City Thunder
Where: Oklahoma City at Paycom Center
Date: Friday, December 23rd
Betting Odds OKC -1.5, NO +105 | OKC -127 O/U 231.5

So far, the Pelicans have put together an overall record of 19-12, while going 16-15-0 vs the spread. Over the team’s past 3 games, New Orleans has an overall record of 1-2, including going 1-2 against the spread.

The Pelicans will look to keep things rolling, as they previously beat the Spurs by a score of 126-117. Heading into the game, they were 8 point favorites against the spread, giving them an ATS win. New Orleans played well enough in the second half to prevent the Spurs from making things interesting down the stretch, as they led by 19 going into halftime. Leading the team in scoring was CJ McCollum, as he contributed 40 points while hitting 51.9% of his shots.

So far, the Thunder have put together an overall record of 14-18, while going 20-12-0 vs the spread. Against the Pelicans, the Thunder are looking to add to their current 3 game winning streak. The average margin of victory across these matchups is 3.67.

The Thunder are coming off a 101-98 win over the Trail Blazers. This win came despite entering the game as the 3 point underdogs. Oklahoma City went on to win the game, despite trailing by 5 going into halftime. Leading the team in scoring was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as he contributed 27 points while hitting 42.1% of his shots.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

I Similar to their season-long average, the Pelicans averaged 108.33 points per game vs the Thunder. On the other side, Oklahoma City saw an improvement in their scoring numbers when playing the Pelicans, as they averaged 111.67 points per game in these matchups. Through the last 5 matchups between the teams, Oklahoma City has an ATS mark of 4-1. But, looking at the scoring margin in these games, an average of just 1 points per game separates the teams. New Orleans and Oklahoma City averaged a combined 213 points per game in these games, leading to an over-under mark of 2-3.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

The New Orleans offense will take the floor in today’s game with the league’s 3rd ranked offense at 117.6 points per game. Coming into today’s game, the Pelicans will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 11.3 made 3’s per game. One reason that they are still scoring at a high rate, is the fact that they are ranked 8th in the NBA in possessions per contest. These increased opportunites have helped make up for the lack of outside shooting.

Against the Thunder, the Pelicans will need a stronger defensive effort as they are ranked just 13th in points allowed.

New Orleans will be relying on CJ McCollum to provide a strong scoring performance in today’s game against the Oklahoma City. Zion Williamson has been ruled out. So far this season, Williamson has been the team’s leading scorer with an average of 25.2 points per game. McCollum is 2nd on the team with 19.4 points per game, which places him 56.0th in the NBA. In 27 games, he has hit 42.0% of his field goal attempts and is averaging 5.1 rebounds per game.

The Oklahoma City offense will take the floor in today’s game with the league’s 10th ranked offense at 115.1 points per game. For the season, the Thunder have been playing an up-tempo style of basketball as they sit 2nd in the NBA in possessions per game.. Not only is the team ranked near the top of the leauge in possessions, but this fast-paced style has translated to an increased number of made shots, as they are 9th in the league in made field goals per game.

Against the Pelicans, the Thunder will need a stronger defensive effort as they are ranked just 15th in points allowed.

Point-Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander currently leads the Thunder at 31.2 points per game. For the season, he is 8th in the NBA in usage rate and has taken 22.3% of the team’s field goal attempts. In addition to his scoring, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 4.7 boards and 5.7 assists per contest. In today’s game, he is facing off against the NBA’s 5th ranked defense at defending point-guards. Luguentz Dort enters the game sitting second on the team in scoring. Through 31 games, he is averaging 13.9 and is 288th in the league in player efficiency rating.