Tip-Off: 4 PM CDT
Location: Chesapeake Energy Arena (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Television: Fox Sports Oklahoma
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @TheThunderGuys for live-tweets during the game
The Oklahoma City Thunder (1-4) lost another close one on Wednesday as they fell to the Portland Trail Blazers (3-2) at home 102-99. After leading early in the fourth quarter, the Thunder could not finish, and it cost them once again.
This afternoon, the Thunder hosts the New Orleans Pelicans (1-4), who are fresh off their first win of the season, a 122-107 victory over the Denver Nuggets (3-2) on Thursday night. The Pelicans are missing rookie standout Zion Williamson, but they still have a solid young core playing alongside some veterans, very much like the Thunder.
Both teams could use a win today, if only to improve morale. Home court gives the Thunder a slight edge, but this will likely be another tough one for Oklahoma City.
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Chris Paul
- SG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SF: Terrance Ferguson
- PF: Danilo Gallinari
- C: Nerlens Noel
Pelicans
- PG: Lonzo Ball
- SG: Jrue Holiday
- SF: Nicoló Melli
- PF: Brandon Ingram
- C: Jahlil Okafor
Injuries
Thunder
- Steven Adams (left knee contusion) is OUT.
- Nerlens Noel (foot) is AVAILABLE.
- Andre Roberson (return to play management) is OUT.
Pelicans
- Derrick Favors (knee) is DOUBTFUL.
- Zion Williamson (knee) is OUT.
By the Numbers
- 121.2: Number of points scored per game (2nd in the NBA) by the Pelicans.
- 101.4: Number of points allowed per game (5th in the NBA) by the Thunder.
- 50.8: Number of rebounds per game (5th in the NBA) by the Thunder.
- 30.6: Number of assists per game (1st in the NBA) by the Pelicans.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 24-15 against the Pelicans (14-6 at home, 10-9 on the road).
- The Thunder has won the season series with the Pelicans 7 times, tied it once, and lost it 3 times.
- The Thunder tied the season series 2-2 against the Pelicans a year ago (2-0 at home, 0-2 on the road).
Game Notes
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