It will be a matchup between two of the league’s top scoring defenses when the Oklahoma City Thunder (6-5) play against the New Orleans Pelicans (1-10). The game starts at 8:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Nov. 18 and will air on ESP, FSN, FxK and C+D.
The Thunder were beaten by the Grizzlies 122-114 on Monday. Russell Westbrook recorded 40 points and 14 assists, earning his ninth double-double of the year. The Pelicans, meanwhile, are coming off a 115-98 loss at the hands of the Nuggets on Tuesday. Ryan Anderson had a good shooting night, leading the team with 24 points.
The high-powered Thunder offense (second in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 107.9) will square off against the poor Pelicans defense (30th in the league with a defensive efficiency of 110.6), a matchup that should favor the Thunder.
The Thunder are a considerable eight-point favorite at home and the Over/Under (O/U) for this matchup is set at 209 points. The Thunder are attempting to build on their records of 6-5 Straight Up (SU) and 5-6 Against The Spread (ATS). They have a record of 3-2 both SU and ATS versus the Western Conference. The Thunder have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire league, averaging 110.8 points per game. The Thunder are an incredibly accurate shooting team from three-point range with a .381 three-point field goal percentage, one of the highest marks in the NBA. Oklahoma City has an edge in the rebounding department for this game, where they rack up a league-best 48.6 rebounds per game.
On the other side, the Pelicans head into the game with records of 2-9 ATS and 1-10 SU. New Orleans has records of 1-5 SU and ATS against the West. New Orleans may be taking trips to the free throw line early and often with the Thunder averaging 23.6 fouls per game, one of the highest marks in the NBA.
This game marks the first time these teams will play this season. The last time the Thunder and the Pelicans played, New Orleans won, but the Thunder still lead the head-to-head record, 6-4 SU, over the last 10 matchups. The teams have an even record ATS, 5-5.
Predictions: SU Winner – OKC, ATS Winner – OKC, O/U – Over
Notes
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Oklahoma City’s last 9 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oklahoma City’s last 5 games at home.
Oklahoma City is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games at home.
Oklahoma City is 15-5 SU in its last 20 games when playing New Orleans.
Oklahoma City is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing New Orleans.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma City’s last 6 games when playing New Orleans.
Oklahoma City is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Orleans.
Oklahoma City is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against New Orleans.
Oklahoma City is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against New Orleans.
Oklahoma City is one of the top scoring teams, averaging 110.8 points per game (ranked second). New Orleans, on the other hand, gives up 109.9 points per game (ranked 30th).
On average, Oklahoma City scores 106.3 points per home game (ranked fifth). New Orleans ranks 22nd in points allowed per road game with 105.2.
When opponents score fewer than 100 points, the Oklahoma City Thunder are a perfect 2-0 this season. When they fail to hit triple digits, the New Orleans Pelicans are a winless 0-8.
When giving up at least 100 points, the Oklahoma City Thunder have a 4-5 record. When registering triple digits, the New Orleans Pelicans have a losing record of 1-2.
Ranked second, the Thunder have an offensive rating of 107.9. The Pelicans, on the other hand, rank 30th with a defensive rating of 110.6.
The Oklahoma City Thunder average 102.7 possessions and 1.079 points per possession in games this season. The New Orleans Pelicans average fewer possessions with 100.1, as well as fewer points per possession with .999.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have one of the best effective field goal percentages this season, ranking third in the league with an EFF% of 51.9%. When their opponents record a similar or higher EFF%, the New Orleans Pelicans are winless with a 0-6 record.
Oklahoma City makes an average of 22.6 assists per game (ranked eighth), while New Orleans makes 21.6 assists per game (ranked 13th).
Oklahoma City makes an average of 7.7 blocks per game (ranked second), while New Orleans makes 4.8 blocks per game (ranked 19th).
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the second-ranked team in offensive rebounds, while the New Orleans Pelicans are the 29th-ranked team in defensive rebounds.
On average, the Oklahoma City Thunder make 7.7 steals per game. The New Orleans Pelicans are winless at 0-7 when they allow 7 or more steals.
