Game #16 Preview | New Orleans Pelicans

The Thunder GuysNovember 20, 2017 No Comments

Tip-Off: 7 PM CT

Location: Smoothie King Center (New Orleans, LA)

Television: FSOK

Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal

Twitter: Follow @TheThunderGuys for live-tweets during the game

Three wins in a row had the Thunder looking like they were starting to find some chemistry. A 23-point lead in the second quarter against the Spurs in San Antonio had Oklahoma City feeling good. However, for the fifth time this season, the Thunder held a double-digit lead at some point only to watch it dwindle away into a loss. Oklahoma City has yet to be more than a game over .500 on the season so far, but a win tonight could help them get a little closer.

The New Orleans Pelicans are a team similar to the Thunder in that they have multiple stars, but they are still trying to figure out how to work together. At 8-7, the Pelicans seem to be underperforming with the offensive firepower that they have in DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, and Jrue Holiday, but their defense has a lot of issues. The Thunder are opposite in these aspects, so tonight’s game should be an interesting matchup.

Projected Starters

Thunder

  • PG: Russell Westbrook
  • SG: Andre Roberson
  • SF: Paul George
  • PF: Carmelo Anthony
  • C: Steven Adams

Pelicans

  • PG: Rajon Rondo
  • SG: Jrue Holiday
  • SF: Dante Cunningham
  • PF: Anthony Davis
  • C: DeMarcus Cousins

Injuries

Thunder

  • None

Pelicans

  • Anthony Davis (Right Orbital Contusion) is probable.
  • Tony Allen (Left Knee Inflammation) is questionable.
  • Alexis Ajinca (Right Knee Injury), Omer Asik (Illness), Solomon Hill (Left Hamstring Tear) and Frank Jackson (Right Foot Fracture) are out.

Head-to-Head

  • Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder are 21-11 against the Pelicans (12-5 at home, 9-6 away).
  • In nine seasons, the Thunder has won the season series with the Pelicans seven times and lost it twice.
  • The Thunder has won the last four games in a row against the Pelicans and six of the last seven.
  • Alex Abrines played a career-high 35 minutes against the Pelicans last season on February 26, 2017, in Oklahoma City.
  • The New Orleans franchise temporarily relocated to Oklahoma City for the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons due to Hurricane Katrina.
  • The Thunder defeated the Pelicans 102-91 in the preseason.

Game Notes

  • Oklahoma City lost on Friday night in San Antonio after holding a 23-point lead over the Spurs in the second quarter.
  • The Pelicans have lost two games in a row.
  • Oklahoma City is 2-6 on the road, while New Orleans is 3-3 at home.
  • Oklahoma City is 2-7 against the Western Conference, while New Orleans is 4-5.
  • Oklahoma City needs a win tonight to get back to .500 on the season.

Article written by Zack Low. Follow @TheThunderGuys on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

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