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The Oklahoma City Thunder (14-18) are 2.5-point favorites against the New Orleans Pelicans (19-12) on December 23, 2022 at Paycom Center in a matchup featuring one of the worst defenses against one of the strongest offenses. The Thunder are 25th in points conceded per game (116.5) while the Pelicans are third in points scored (117.6). The over/under for the matchup is 230.5 points.
How to bet Thunder vs. Pelicans
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans Odds
Point Spread
The spread for this matchup is set at 2.5 points, with oddsmakers listing the Thunder as the favorites.
Moneyline
As for the moneyline, the Thunder have -139 odds to pick up the win, while the Pelicans are listed at +118 to claim victory.
Over/Under
Finally, the over/under for the game is set at 230.5 points.
Thunder vs. Pelicans Game Time and How to Watch
- Game Day: Friday, December 23, 2022
- Game Time: 8:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: BSO
- Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Arena: Paycom Center
Thunder vs. Pelicans Betting Trends
The Thunder have played 32 games, with 20 wins against the spread. Oklahoma City has come away with two wins in the seven contests it has been listed as the favorite in this season. Thunder games this year have gone over the point total 17 times in 31 opportunities (54.8%).
In the Pelicans’ 31 games this year, they have 16 wins against the spread. New Orleans has won five of the 10 games it was the moneyline underdog this season (50%). The Pelicans have hit the over 58.1% of the time this season (18 of 31 games with a set point total).
Potential Starting Lineups and Key Players
Thunder
| Name | GP | PTS | REB | ASST | STL | BLK | 3PM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | 29 | 31.2 | 4.7 | 5.7 | 1.7 | 1 | 1 |
| Josh Giddey | 27 | 14.6 | 8 | 5.5 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1 |
| Luguentz Dort | 31 | 13.9 | 4.4 | 2.4 | 1 | 0.4 | 1.7 |
| Jalen Williams | 28 | 11 | 3.3 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.7 |
| Aleksej Pokusevski | 29 | 8.7 | 5.2 | 2 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 1.2 |
Pelicans
| Name | GP | PTS | REB | ASST | STL | BLK | 3PM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CJ McCollum | 27 | 19.4 | 5.1 | 5.9 | 1 | 0.6 | 2.5 |
| Jonas Valančiūnas | 31 | 13.8 | 9.4 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.7 |
| Trey Murphy III | 29 | 12.3 | 4.3 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 2.2 |
| Herbert Jones | 22 | 10.3 | 3.4 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 1 |
| Jose Alvarado | 30 | 9.2 | 2.2 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 1.5 |
Thunder vs. Pelicans Injury Report
Pelicans: Larry Nance: Out (Achilles), Zion Williamson: Out (Health Protocols), EJ Liddell: Out (Knee), Brandon Ingram: Out (Toe)
What you need to know about the Oklahoma City Thunder
On offense, Oklahoma City is posting 115.1 points per game (10th-ranked in league). It is surrendering 116.5 points per contest at the other end of the court (25th-ranked). The Thunder put up 116.6 points per game when playing at home, compared to 113.6 points per game in away games, a difference of three points per contest. The Thunder’s offense has been less productive over their last 10 games, racking up 113.1 points a contest compared to the 115.1 they’ve averaged this year.
Oklahoma City is making 11.5 three-pointers per game (16th-ranked in NBA) this year, while sporting a 34.3% three-point percentage (21st-ranked). This season, the Thunder have taken 63.7% two-pointers, accounting for 72.9% of the team’s buckets. They have shot 36.3% from beyond the arc (27.1% of the team’s baskets).
What you need to know about the New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans is the third-best squad in the league in points scored (117.6 per game) and 14th in points allowed (112.6). At home the Pelicans are scoring 117.3 points per game, 0.7 fewer points than they are averaging on the road (118). The Pelicans are putting up 118.7 points per game in their past 10 games, which is 1.1 more than their average for the season (117.6).
In 2022-23, New Orleans is 22nd in the league in 3-point makes (11.3 per game) and 10th in 3-point percentage (36.8%). The Pelicans attempt 34.3% percent of their shots from behind the 3-point line, and 65.7% percent from inside it. In terms of makes, 26% of the Pelicans’ baskets are 3-pointers, and 74% are 2-pointers.
Our prediction to win this contest is the Pelicans, and we expect that Pelicans will cover the spread (Thunder -2.5). Finally, we see the scoring in this one going over the posted total of 230.5 points.
You can bet on Thunder vs. Pelicans at every legal online sportsbook. For more NBA odds, including moneylines, spreads, over/under totals as well as NBA prop odds, check out the latest NBA lines as well as our guide to the best NBA betting sites.
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