Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans Free Prediction 02/14/19

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It will be a contest between two sensational offenses when the New Orleans Pelicans (25-33), 3.5-point underdogs, challenge the Oklahoma City Thunder (37-19) at Smoothie King Center. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 237 points and it can be seen on TNT at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 14, 2019.

Oklahoma City Thunder at New Orleans Pelicans Betting Odds

The last time the Thunder played, they covered the 4.5-point spread against the Portland Trail Blazers, 120-111. The Pelicans, meanwhile, were thoroughly outplayed by the Orlando Magic, 118-88, and failed to cover as 5-point underdogs. The Oklahoma City game finished 1 point under the projected point total of 232, while the New Orleans game went 16.5 points under the projected point total of 222.5.

The Thunder had a solid effective field goal percentage of 0.570 (above their season average of 0.520) and had a better turnover percentage (10.8 vs. 11.1). New Orleans, on the other hand, had a better effective field goal percentage (0.436 vs. 0.511). New Orleans’ Jrue Holiday played well, recording 16 points and six assists. Paul George, meanwhile led the way for Oklahoma City with 47 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to register his zeroth triple-double of the year.

In the season series between these two teams, the Thunder lead two games to one. In their most recent game, the two teams combined to score 238 points, which was over the projected point total of 230. Oklahoma City won 122-116 but was unable to cover as a 14-point favorite. Oklahoma City’s rebounding was their largest strength. The Thunder had 14 offensive rebounds and 57 total rebounds, while the Pelicans had eight and 42, respectively. Russell Westbrook played a huge role in the victory, recording a a triple-double with 23 points, 17 rebounds and 16 assists.

Just over half of the Thunder’s games have finished over the total. Oklahoma City comes into the game with records of 37-19 straight up (SU) and 33-23 against the spread (ATS).

Pelicans games also have gone over the projected point total 50.0 percent of the time. Moreover, New Orleans owns records of 25-33 SU and 27-30-1 ATS.

It could be a sloppy game for the New Orleans offense. New Orleans ranks 17th in the league in ball protection (turnover percentage of 13.3 percent), while the pesky defense of Oklahoma City forces the most turnovers in the NBA (15.9 percent).

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans Free Pick

Pick: SU Winner – Thunder, ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • The Pelicans rank third in blocks per game (5.7) while the Thunder rank 13th (5.3).
  • Oklahoma City averages 10.3 steals per game, which ranks first in the NBA. New Orleans ranks 23rd in steals allowed per game (8.2).
  • The Pelicans rank fourth in assists per game (26.6) while the Thunder rank 21st (23.3).
  • New Orleans ranks first in points in the paint per game (57.9) while Oklahoma City ranks 17th in points allowed in the paint per game (49.1).
  • Oklahoma City ranks 14th in three pointers allowed per game (31.3) while New Orleans ranks 25th (33.3).
  • The Thunder average 20.7 points off turnovers per game, which ranks first in the league. The Pelicans rank 22nd in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.4).
  • The Pelicans rank sixth in rebounds per game (46.9) while the Thunder rank 19th in rebounds allowed per game (45.2).
  • Oklahoma City averages 14.6 second chance points per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. New Orleans ranks 13th in second chance points allowed per game (13.4).
  • Oklahoma City averages 18.5 fast break points per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. New Orleans ranks 21st in fast break points allowed per game (14.5).
  • In games where they allow less than 100 points, Oklahoma City is 7-0 and New Orleans is 5-2.
  • When reaching the century mark, the Pelicans are 25-27 and the Thunder are 35-13.
  • Oklahoma City is 17-12 ATS on the road, while New Orleans is 13-14 ATS at home.
  • The total has gone under in 14 of the Pelicans’ 27 home games, while 17 of the Thunder’s 29 road games have gone under.

Bettings Trends:

  • In their last five games, Oklahoma City and New Orleans have both had 3 unders and 2 overs.
  • The Thunder are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Pelicans are 2-3.
  • The Thunder’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.2, up from 5.5 for the season.
  • During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 106.4 points per game (8.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 112.6 points per game (2.1 below their season average).