The No. 8 seed New Orleans Pelicans go on the road to play the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of their 2024 NBA playoffs series on Wednesday night. The Thunder own the second-best home record in the NBA at 33-8, while New Orleans had the top road record in the Western Conference at 28-14. Oklahoma City picked up a 94-92 victory in Game 1 on Sunday. Zion Williamson (hamstring) is out.
Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla. The Thunder are 7.5-point favorites in the latest Pelicans vs. Thunder odds from SportsLine consensus. The over/under for total points is 211.5. Before making any Thunder vs. Pelicans picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters the second week of the 2024 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 90-58 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,800. Anyone following has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Pelicans vs. Thunder and just locked in its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Thunder vs. Pelicans:
- Pelicans vs. Thunder spread: Oklahoma City -7.5
- Pelicans vs. Thunder over/under: 211.5 points
- Pelicans vs. Thunder money line: Oklahoma City -303, New Orleans +245
- NO: The Pelicans are 46-38-1 against the spread this season.
- OKC: The Thunder are 46-36-1 against the spread this season.
- Pelicans vs. Thunder picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Thunder can cover
Forward Jalen Williams is a nice playmaker who can shoot both off the dribble or when his feet are set. The Santa Clara product also has the ball skills to handle the rock. He averaged 19.1 points, four rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game in the regular season. In Game 1, Williams racked up 19 points, seven boards, and four assists.
Guard Luguentz Dort is a very strong and selfless defender. Dort is willing to do the dirty work for this team and can guard multiple multiple positions. The Arizona State product logged 10.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and shot 39% from beyond the arc in 2023-24. In the April 9 win over the Kings, Dort had 18 points, two steals, and made three 3-pointers. See which team to pick here.
Why the Pelicans can cover
Guard Trey Murphy III stepped up in the absence of Williamson. Murphy III has the range to be an asset out on the perimeter with the athleticism to finish in the lane. The former Virginia standout averaged 14.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and shot 38% from downtown this season. In Sunday’s loss to the Thunder, Murphy III racked up a team-best 21 points, four rebounds and made five 3-pointers.
Center Jonas Valanciunas is a bruising force in the frontcourt. Valanciunas owns a very nice touch around the basket but consistently puts himself in the position to snag plenty of rebounds. In the regular season, Valanciunas logged 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and shot 55% from the floor. On Sunday, the 31-year-old had 13 points and a game-high 20 rebounds. See which team to pick here.
How to make Pelicans vs. Thunder picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 215 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits over 50% of the time. You can only get the model’s pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Pelicans vs. Thunder, and which side hits in over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that has returned more than $2,800 on its NBA picks this season, and find out.
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