New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City | Tip & Odds (12.04.2023)

New Orleans Pelicans against Oklahoma City on Apr 12, 2023, at 09:30 PM. New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City betting tips - NBA predictions. Stats comparison, H2H, odds, and Basketball analysis from our experts.
Team 1 Logo LWWLW
12.04.2023 Smoothie King Center (New Orleans) 09:30 PM
Team 2 Logo WWLLL
+180 1X2 Visit 20Bet
1X2 Visit
-220 1X2 Visit NEOBet
Best Tip: Under 227 Total Points -110 Visit 22Bet

New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder betting tips and predictions for Wednesday’s NBA play-in game on ESPN. One team’s season will be over tonight as the Pelicans and Thunder battle for the opportunity to play Minnesota for the 8th seed in the West. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans PelicansIt’s been a brutal year in terms of injuries for the Pelicans this season, but despite that they prevailed and here they are battling the Thunder in an elimination game. Zion Williamson is still out and will remain out even if the Pelicans make the postseason, which is a big blow to their ambitions.

But, we’ve seen some pretty good things from them over the past month or so as both Brandon Ingram and C.J. McCollum have elevated their games to ensure the Pelicans don’t get eliminated. Playing at home will be a welcome sign here, the Pels are 5-1 SU in their last 6 at Smoothie King Center. They haven’t had the best of times against OKC however, failing to cover the spread in the last 6 meetings in this building.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City ThunderThe young Thunder are 5.5 point underdogs here and after watching the Hawks beat the Heat in a similar situation last night, they will definitely be motivated here as anything is possible in a winner takes all scenario Especially with them having a solid head-to-head record against the Pels, covering the spread 10 times in the last 14 games.

During the regular season OKC was one of the most consistent teams against the spread going 47-34-1 ATS overall while covering in 23 of 41 road games. I’m not breaking any news here by saying tonight’s game will depend on how Shai Gilgeous-Alexander performs. He is their primary ball handler and main option on offense, if he is in for a rough night then the Thunder are going how early. That shouldn’t happen though as SGA averaged 33.5 points per game in 4 meetings during the regular season.

The Pelicans failed under pressure and scored just 3 threes in their last game vs Minnesota, a win there would have had them playing the Lakers for the 7th seed. Injuries have destroyed their season, while the young Thunder don’t really have much to lose here since nobody is expecting them to make it through. Take OKC.


New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Predictions & Odds

Both play-in games last night finished under the total and with just 1 of the 4 regular season meetings going over between the two teams, I think we could be in for another defensive battle here. The projected total has been set at an ambitious 228 points, these two teams have averaged only 214.6 points per game in the last 10 meetings with the under cashing 6 times.

Both of them finished the regular season cashing on the under quite a few times – OKC did it in 6 of 9 games, while the Pels did it in 10 of 13. When playing against Western Conference opponents the Pelicans have gone under in a staggering 15 of 20 games. Look for both teams to try to assert their dominance here by playing really hard on the defensive end. The Pels are 6th in defensive efficiency, while the Thunder are 15th. Back the under.

Best Tip: Under 227 Total Points -110 Visit 22Bet