New Orleans Pelicans VS Oklahoma City Thunder meet in a matchup that will decide the season for both sides. This Play-In tournament matchup has all the makings of a memorable clash that’ll kick off the postseason in the right direction.
Keeping reading for more details about the Pelicans and Thunder game in the 2022-23 NBA Play-In Tournament, including the NBA Prediction Tonight, analysis, picks, and odds for this matchup presented by MatchPlug.
Predictions and Betting Preview for New Orleans Pelicans VS Oklahoma City NBA Play-In Tournament
- Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA.
- When: Friday, April 12th 2023
- Time: 18:30 GMT
- Teams to play: New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder
- NBA Expert Picks: MONEYLINE 1.5
Odds by BetMGM and 1XBet.
Betting On New Orleans Pelicans
Regular Season Record: 42-40
- 1XBet Spread: -5.5
- 1XBet Moneyline: 1.5
- 1XBet Over/Under: Over 227.5
- BetMGM Spread: -5.5
- BetMGM Moneyline: Under 226.5
- BetMGM Over/Under: 1.45
New Orleans Pelicans will play without Zion Williamson for this matchup VS Oklahoma City Thunder, but CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram will still lead the team. Both players have the capacity to take over the Pelicans’ offense, which concluded the regular season with an average of 117.5 points per game. McCollum put up 20.9 PPG in the regular season, while Ingram made 24.7 PPG.
The duo expect to get assistance from Trey Murphy, Jonas Valanciunas, and Herbert Jones. Valanciunas will play an important role because of his rebounding powers. He ended the regular season with 10.2 RPG while playing efficiently too on offense with 14.1 PPG on 54.7 FG%.
While the Pelicans are dealing with a 113-108 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a game that happened last Sunday, they covered the spread in five of their last 6 games after dealing with a loss.
Betting On The Oklahoma City Thunder
Regular Season Record: 40-42
- 1XBet Spread: +5.5
- 1XBet Moneyline: 2.75
- 1XBet Over/Under: Under 227.5
- BetMGM Spread: +5.5
- BetMGM Moneyline: 2.80
- BetMGM Over/Under: Over 226.5
The Oklahoma City Thunder finished their regular season with a 40-42 record to secure an unbelievable spot in the Play-in Tournament. They weren’t regarded for a greater part of the season as a contender for playoffs, but the Thunder are now only two wins away from securing a sure spot in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
After 82 games, Oklahoma City mustered a +1.1-point differential, averaging 117.5 points per game and allowing 116.4 points per contest. They are led by an explosive offensive talent in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averages 31.4 PPG on an impressive 51.0 FG% despite high usage.
Jalen Williams has also become a breakout talent for the Bolts, particularly in the last part of the NBA regular season. Williams put up 13.5 points on 47.8 FG% in his last four outings. As a team, the Thunder is 10-4 ATS in their past 14 games versus the Pelicans.
MatchPlug Prediction
Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Josh Giddy lead the Thunder with good outside shooting and their powers for breaking down defenses with their respective talents.
Final Prediction: Pelicans win.
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