The New Orleans Pelicans (6-12) will travel to Chesapeake Energy Arena to square off against the Oklahoma City Thunder (6-11). The Pelicans opened as 4-point underdogs. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 228.5 points and it can be seen on NBATV at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, November 29, 2019.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Odds
Both teams were beaten in their last contest. The Thunder (3-point underdogs) were defeated by the Portland Trail Blazers, 136-119, while the Pelicans (6.5-point underdogs) fell to the Los Angeles Lakers, 114-110. The Oklahoma City game went 35.5 points over the projected point total of 219.5, while the New Orleans game went 7 points under the projected point total of 231.
New Orleans had an offensive rebounding percentage of 30.2 (above their season average of 23.9) while Oklahoma City had a turnover percentage of 5.4 (better than their season average of 13.6). Abdel Nader fueled Oklahoma City with 23 points. Meanwhile, New Orleans rallied around Jrue Holiday, who finished with 29 points, 12 assists and six rebounds.
In their first matchup this season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder to a 115-104 win. He scored a game-high 23 points. The two teams combined to put up 219 points, which was under the projected point total of 228.5, and Oklahoma City covered as a 2-point favorite. Oklahoma City’s free throw rate was their biggest strength over New Orleans. The Thunder had a rate of 0.200, while the Pelicans posted a mark of 0.138.
Of the Pelicans’ 18 games, 10 have finished over the total. New Orleans heads into the game with records of 6-12 straight up (SU) and 8-10 against the spread (ATS).
In opposition of New Orleans, just over half of Thunder games have finished under the O/U total. Although Oklahoma City has a difficult time winning games outright (6-11 SU), they have a respectable record ATS (10-7).
The physical Oklahoma City offense could be living from the free throw line in this battle. The Thunder rank fourth in the NBA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.235, while New Orleans ranks 26th in FTA rate allowed (0.234). It will also be a tale of two paces as the up-and-down Pelicans rank fourth in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Thunder rank 25th.
Pelicans at Thunder Odds Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Thunder, ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Thunder rank 23rd in points off turnovers per game (15.4) while the Pelicans rank 24th in points off turnovers allowed per game (19.8).
- Oklahoma City ranks sixth in fast break points allowed per game (12.1) while New Orleans ranks 28th (17.7).
- The Pelicans rank 10th in second chance points per game (13.8) while the Thunder rank 26th (9.3).
- Oklahoma City ranks 16th in points allowed in the paint per game (48.0) while New Orleans ranks last (53.0).
- Oklahoma City ranks 12th in steals per game (7.8) while New Orleans ranks 16th in steals allowed per game (7.8).
- The Pelicans rank fifth in three pointers attempted per game (39.3) while the Thunder rank 26th (29.9).
- The Pelicans rank 17th in rebounds per game (45.1) while the Thunder rank 25th (42.5).
- New Orleans ranks eighth in assists per game (25.6) while Oklahoma City ranks 25th (21.8).
- Oklahoma City is 3-2 when they allow below 100 points.
- In games where they score more than 100 points, the Thunder are 6-6 and the Pelicans are 6-11.
- New Orleans is 3-6 ATS on the road, while Oklahoma City is 6-3 ATS at home.
- Of the Pelicans’ 9 road games, they have 6 overs and 3 unders.
- The Thunder have 5 unders and 4 overs in 9 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, New Orleans and Oklahoma City are both 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Pelicans’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 4.6, up from 4.4 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 108.2 points per game (0.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 113.0 points per game (4.2 above their season average).
