Thunder Against the Spread | Season Trends Say OKC Covers in NOLA

Tip-Off: 8:30 PM CT

Location: Smoothie King Center (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Spread: Pelicans (-5.5)

Total: 226.5

Trends Against The Spread

ThunderatPelicans
All
47-34-1 (58%)39-41-2 (48%)
Location
23-17-1 (57%) on the road23-17-1 (57%) at home
Status
31-20-1 (60%) as underdog or pick23-17-1 (57%) as favorite
Location Status
21-11-1 (65%) as road underdog16-12-1 (57%) as home favorite
Head To Head
2-2 (50%)2-2 (50%)
  • OKC has hit the over 53% of the time this season.
  • The Pelicans have hit the over 46% of the time this season.
  • The Thunder is 18-23 against the over on the road this season.
  • New Orleans is 18-23 against the over at home this season.

Team Stats

TEAMPTSPAFG%3P%REBASTTOVSTLBLKSTRKL10
OKC117.5116.446.535.643.624.413.08.24.2W24-6
NOP114.4112.548.036.443.725.914.68.34.1L17-3

Series History

The Thunder is 1-3 against the Pelicans so far this season (0-2 at home, 1-1 on the road).

Why the Thunder Will Cover (+5.5)

Playing on the road is difficult any night of the year, but this is particularly the case in the playoffs. While the Play-in Tournament isn’t technically the playoffs, the stakes are still extremely high, and maybe even more so in this one as it is win or go home for both teams. OKC’s starters are coming off 5 whole days of rest, and that means a lot for guys like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been particularly efficient coming off a lot of rest. As a result, I expect the Thunder to not just cover the spread but win the game as well. Either way, it’s going to be a close one to the final buzzer.

Why the Game Will Hit the Over (226.5)

Defense turns up in the playoffs. It happens every season. Typical point totals tend to drop, and it just makes sense: players are more locked in than they are perhaps all year long, and defensive scheming improves. Even with all of these factual truths, I can’t help but expect tonight to be a little higher scoring than expected. OKC and New Orleans both boast solid offenses with decent defenses, and I think both teams’ stars will show out tonight in a tight one.

On the Season

NameMoneylineSpreadOver/Under
Matt36-3630-42-139-32-1
Zack43-3949-3337-44-1
Craig32-2327-2829-24-2

Staff Picks

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