Thunder vs. Pelicans: NBA Playoffs Game 1 Betting Preview, Tips and Picks – April 21, 2024

Written By PlayPicks Staff on April 20, 2024

The New Orleans Pelicans (49-33) are aiming to overcome the odds as 8.5-point underdogs for Game 1 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs, and will face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on Sunday, beginning at 9:30 PM ET on TNT. The matchup has a 215.5 point total.

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Thunder vs. Pelicans Betting Odds

Favorite Spread Total
Thunder -8.5 215.5

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Injury Report as of April 21

Thunder: None

Pelicans: Zion Williamson: Out (Hamstring)

Computer Picks

Spread Pick Pelicans (+8.5)
Total Pick Over (215.5)

Predictions are calculated by a data-driven algorithm (raw power score) that ranks head-to-head matchup results within a closed network of games. Prediction confidence is determined by the delta between each team’s raw power score.

Thunder vs. Pelicans Stat Rankings

Thunder Avg. (Rank) Pelicans Avg. (Rank)
120.1 (3rd) Points Scored 115.1 (13th)
112.7 (11th) Points Allowed 110.7 (8th)
42 (27th) Rebounds 44 (12th)
8.8 (29th) Off. Rebounds 10.4 (17th)
13.3 (8th) 3pt Made 12.5 (18th)
27.1 (11th) Assists 27 (12th)
11.8 (4th) Turnovers 12.4 (13th)

Best Betting Site for Thunder vs. Pelicans

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Thunder Key Players

Name GP PTS REB ASST STL BLK 3PM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 75 30.1 5.5 6.2 2 0.9 1.3
Jalen Williams 71 19.1 4 4.5 1.1 0.6 1.5
Chet Holmgren 82 16.5 7.9 2.4 0.6 2.3 1.6
Josh Giddey 80 12.3 6.4 4.8 0.6 0.6 1
Luguentz Dort 79 10.9 3.6 1.4 0.9 0.6 2

Pelicans Key Players

Name GP PTS REB ASST STL BLK 3PM
Brandon Ingram 64 20.8 5.1 5.7 0.8 0.6 1.3
CJ McCollum 66 20 4.3 4.6 0.9 0.6 3.6
Trey Murphy III 57 14.8 4.9 2.2 0.9 0.5 3
Jonas Valančiūnas 82 12.2 8.8 2.1 0.4 0.8 0.5
Herbert Jones 76 11 3.6 2.6 1.4 0.8 1.5

Betting Trends

  • Against the spread, the Thunder are 46-35-1 this season.
  • Against the spread as 8.5-point favorites or more, Oklahoma City is 14-10.
  • This year, 43 of the Thunder’s 82 games have gone over the point total.
  • Oklahoma City’s games have had more than 215.5 points scored on 65 occasions this season.
  • Thunder games average 232.8 total points this season, 17.3 points less than the over/under for this matchup.
  • Against the spread, the Pelicans are 44-36-2 this season.
  • New Orleans doesn’t have a win ATS (0-1) as a 8.5-point underdog or more this year.
  • Out of 82 Pelicans games so far this year, 36 have gone over the total.
  • New Orleans’ games have finished with over 215.5 points scored 61 times this season.
  • The average total for Pelicans games is 225.7 points, 10.2 more than this game’s over/under.

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