The Oklahoma City Thunder (34-13) can extend a five-game home winning streak when they meet the New Orleans Pelicans (16-28). Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Thursday, Feb. 11 and can be seen on TNT.
The Thunder enter this game hoping for similar success after topping the Knicks 128-122 in their last matchup. Kevin Durant was a key piece, recording his 15th double-double of the season with 44 points and 14 rebounds. The Pelicans, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their close 112-111 loss against the Rockets in their last game. Jrue Holiday had a team-high 32 points.
Holiday has been hot for the Pelicans, averaging 18.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 three-pointers over the past five games.
The Thunder could have their way today, as their prolific offense faces off against one of the league’s worst defenses. They currently rank second in the NBA in offensive efficiency while New Orleans ranks 28th in defensive efficiency.
This is the second game of the year between these two teams, with the Thunder winning the first matchup 110-103. In the victory, Russell Westbrook led all scorers on the team with 43 points.
The Thunder have gone 39-14 Straight Up (SU) and 21-31-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 39-14 SU and 21-31-1 ATS against the Western Conference. The Thunder have no trouble scoring as they rank second in the league in offense with 109.9 points per game. The Thunder are one of the best in the NBA in terms of free throws made, making an impressive 19.0 per game. The rebounding edge goes to the Thunder in this matchup, who are one of the top rebounding teams in the league with an average of 47.5 boards per game.
Over on the other bench, the Pelicans have a record of 22-30 ATS and 20-32 SU. Against the Western Conference, New Orleans is 20-32 SU and 22-30 ATS. Offensively, the Pelicans have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 102.2 points per game by averaging 115.5 during that stretch. The Pelicans convert their free throws at a high percentage, ranking fourth in the league at .793.
In their previous meeting this season, Oklahoma City beat New Orleans, bumping its SU record to 6-4 over the Pelicans in their last 10 meetings. The Pelicans lead the matchup ATS with a record of 6-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – OKC
Notes
On average, New Orleans scores 102.2 points per game (ranked 13th). Oklahoma City ranks 18th in points allowed per game with 102.0.
New Orleans ranks 20th in points per away game with 98.5 points, while Oklahoma City ranks 11th in points allowed at home with 98.9.
Oklahoma City has a 21-2 record when opponents score fewer than 100 points. New Orleans has yet to win a game in which it puts up fewer than 100 (0-20).
Oklahoma City is 13-11 when allowing 100 or more points this season. The Pelicans have a solid 16-8 record when they hit the century mark.
Ranked second, the Thunder have an offensive rating of 109.9. The Pelicans, on the other hand, rank 28th with a defensive rating of 107.0.
On average, Oklahoma City has 99.2 possessions per game and scores 1.099 points on each possession. New Orleans has both fewer possessions (98.8) and scores fewer points during those possessions (1.038).
The Oklahoma City Thunder have one of the best effective field goal percentages this season, ranking third in the league with an EFF% of 52.0%. When their opponents record a similar or higher EFF%, the New Orleans Pelicans have an underachieving 7-13 record.
On average, the Oklahoma City Thunder make 22.1 assists per game and the New Orleans Pelicans make 22.0. Oklahoma City is ranked 12th, while New Orleans is ranked 13th.
The Oklahoma City Thunder average 6.3 blocks per game for a rank of fourth. The New Orleans Pelicans rank lower (16th), earning 5.0 blocks each game.
Oklahoma City ranks among the best in the league in offensive rebounding at second, while New Orleans ranks a solid 13th in defensive rebounds.
New Orleans makes an average of 7.6 steals per game. Oklahoma City has a winning 25-11 record when it allows at least 7 steals.
