The NBA action continues on Monday, November 28, when we have ten games on the schedule, including this conference matchup, so make sure you don’t miss out on the best Thunder vs. Pelicans betting pick and odds.

Oklahoma City is looking to avoid the fifth defeat in six games when they visit New Orleans at Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans are -4.5 favorites on MyBookie Sportsbook, while the total is set at 232.5 points. These Western Conference rivals have met three times last season, and the Thunder won the series 2-1.

Thunder lost to the Rockets in Houston

The Oklahoma City Thunder (8-12, 11-9-0 ATS) managed to snap a three-game losing skid with an overtime win against the Chicago Bulls at home, but they returned to losing ways in Houston against the Rockets. It was one of Oklahoma’s worst offensive displays of the campaign as they shot 39.2% from the floor and 22.7% from beyond the arc, while the Rockets were better in rebounds (53-41) and assists (25-19). The Thunder couldn’t avoid a 118-105 defeat, especially after allowing 42 points in the second quarter and scoring 22 in return.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 32 points and two steals. Josh Giddey had 18 points and five rebounds, Aaron Wiggins scored 15 points with a game-high three steals, while Jalen Williams contributed with 11 points, five boards, and team-high four assists.

PG Chet Holmgren (foot) is out for the season, while C Mike Muscala (finger) is out indefinitely and will not be available on Monday against New Orleans.

Pelicans were blown away in Memphis

The New Orleans Pelicans (11-8, 10-9 ATS) displayed the weakest defensive performance of the season in a 132-11 road loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. It was a season-high 132 points allowed, but the Pels are playing well in general lately as they recorded five wins in the previous seven games, including the ones over Memphis, Chicago, and Golden State. New Orleans surrendered 44 points in the opening quarter against the Grizzlies and never recovered since; the Grizzlies even had a 36-point lead at one moment. The biggest difference was from the perimeter as the Pelicans made only ten triples opposite Memphis 18.

Trey Murphy led New Orleans with 21 points. Zion Williamson added 14 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Herbert Jones posted 113 points and five boards. Brandon Ingram left the previous game with a left big toe sprain, and his status for Monday versus the Thunder is in doubt.

G CJ McCollum (quarantine) and PF E.J. Liddell (knee) are out and will not play against the Thunder on Monday. Alongside Ingram, PF Larry Nance Jr. (shoulder) and SF Naji Marshall (illness) are also questionable.

Trends:

Oklahoma City:

  • 1-4 ATS in the last five games overall
  • 2-5 ATS in the last seven games following an ATS loss
  • 0-6 ATS in the last six games following a straight-up loss of more than ten points

New Orleans:

  • 6-1 ATS in the last seven home games vs. a team with a losing road record
  • 4-1 ATS in the last five home games
  • 5-2 ATS in the last seven games overall

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans Pick

The Pelicans will be without two key players McCollum and Ingram, but they still have enough firepower to beat the Thunder, who have the second-worst defense in the NBA that is allowing 118.3 points per game. New Orleans, on the other hand, has the third-best offense that averages 117.3 ppg, while they are in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive ratings. Oklahoma City is below average in both those segments. The Pels won six of the last eight games at home, and I am backing Zion Williamson and co. to bounce back from a big defeat in Memphis.

Pick: Take the Pelicans at -3.5 (-125)

The Total

Although bad on defense, the Thunder are quite good when it comes to scoring. Oklahoma City has the 6th offense in the league that is averaging 116.6 points per contest and they scored 120+ points quite often this season. It’s because of their poor defense, so the offense has to make amends on the other end, but for the Over bettors, that’s all we need. Over is 9-4 in the last 13 H2H meetings in New Orleans; Over is 13-3 in the Thunder’s previous 16 overall, while Over is 9-1 in Oklahoma City’s last ten after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.

Pick: Go Over 229.5 points (-130)