The New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder are both off to 1-4 SU starts, though Oklahoma City has the slight ATS advantage at 3-2 ATS over New Orleans’ 2-3 ATS. Both teams will try to earn their second win of the season this Saturday in Oklahoma City.
- New Orleans Pelicans at Oklahoma City Thunder (Matchup Report)
- Date/Time: November 2, 5:00 PM ET
- TV Coverage: N/A
- Sportsbook Odds: Oklahoma City -5 | O/U 231 (Line History)
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
After Sportsbook at Oklahoma City -5, this line was virtually immediately bet down to Oklahoma City -3, where it has remained steady. The total has moved three points down from its opener of 231 points to settle in at 228.
New Orleans News & Notes
With Zion Williamson set to miss at least the first six to eight weeks of the season with a knee injury that he suffered during the preseason, a lot of the optimism that was swirling around the Pelicans in the preseason has already fizzled out. Brandon Ingram is giving Pelicans fans reason for optimism though; the 22-year-old has averaged 26.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game through the team’s first five games of 2019-20.
Ingram and Lonzo Ball, both former second overall picks, were acquired from the Lakers in the Anthony Davis trade this offseason. If both of these young players realize their potential as Ingram appears to be doing, the Pelicans could have an exciting young core on their hands to build around; assuming that Zion Williamson is eventually able to shake off the injury bug and play to his own potential as well.
Oklahoma City News & Notes
Oklahoma City kicked off the 2018-19 season with a 1-4 SU record too before going on a 9-1 SU and ATS run over their next 10 games. Of course, that team was led by former MVP Russell Westbrook and 2019 MVP finalist, Paul George; this year’s Thunder squad is led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, and Chris Paul.
It’s going to be a long season for the Thunder, who were forced into a full rebuild when Paul George requested a trade to join Kawhi Leonard on the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason. But with a 3-1 ATS record as an underdog so far this season, perhaps Oklahoma City will at least put up a bit more of a fight than most people were projecting they would. Oklahoma City is 6-1 SU and 4-3 ATS in its last seven home games against New Orleans.
Betting Pick: OVER 228 Points
All five of New Orleans’ games have gone OVER the posted total this season with an average combined score of 245.2 points per game. This one probably won’t go that high, but it should creep over 228 with the Pelicans pushing the tempo.
- The Pelicans are 6-14 ATS in their last 20 games.
- The Thunder are 1-6 SU in their last 7 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of New Orleans' last 7 games on the road.
