El Jefe
The Oklahoma City Thunder (14-18) will hit the court against the New Orleans Pelicans (18-12) in Oklahoma City on Friday, December 23 at Paycom Center. The Thunder, the home team in this contest, have had a varying degree of victories and losses lately, whereas the visiting Pelicans have lost four consecutive games. Tipoff is at 7:00 PM CT, so don’t forget to make your picks before it’s too late!
For context about Friday’s showdown, how have the Thunder and the Pelicans stacked up against each other in the past?
In their most recent meeting on November 28, 2022, the score was 105-101 in favor of the Pelicans. In that game, the Thunder had a 36.96% field goal percentage and a 31.58% three pointer percentage, whereas the Pelicans had a 44.83% field goal percentage and a 28.12% 3-point percentage. Oklahoma put up 47 rebounds and 16 assists while the Pelicans came down with 49 rebounds and 21 assists. We’ll see what happens this time when the Thunder host their opponents at Paycom Center.
Betting Preview for the New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Game on December 23 2022
Where: Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
When: Friday, December 23, 2022
Betting on the New Orleans Pelicans
Record: 18-12 | Southwest Division Standing: 2
The New Orleans Pelicans have dropped four in a row and are currently in 3rd place in the conference. In their most recent game they defeated the Toronto Raptors, 99-113, due in large part to the solid efforts of star players Brandon Ingram and Steven Adams. To that end, Ingram, who will be out of the next game due to an injury, generated 24 points (52.63 FG%) and 11 assists and Steven Adams had eight points (66.67 FG%). Check out our analysis below to learn how this performance has informed their odds for the upcoming game against Oklahoma on Friday.
Absences and Injuries
As far as inactive players go, the Pelicans will play without Brandon Ingram (Toe), Zion Williamson (Health Protocols), and E.J. Liddell (Right Knee). Larry Nance Jr. (Achilles) is listed as questionable.
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder
Record: 14-18 | Northwest Division Standing: 5
The Oklahoma City Thunder outplayed the Charlotte 49ers in their most recent game on Saturday, 107-109, due to the solid efforts of George Hill and Darius Bazley. Hill yielded 21 points (88.89 FG%), whereas Darius Bazley added 15 points (58.33 FG%) and 10 rebounds. The Thunder are in the last position in the division and currently 12th in the conference. Make sure you review our evaluation of the odds for Friday’s matchup further down and consider how the squad’s recent form could influence their meeting versus New Orleans.
Absences and Injuries
In terms of injuries, the Thunder are lacking Ousmane Dieng (Wrist). Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Ankle) will be questionable.
Pelicans vs Thunder | Moneyline, Over/Under and Point Spread Odds
Moneyline Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder (-130) at DraftKings
The Oklahoma City Thunder are considered the favorite by many basketball fans and oddsmakers. The team has a winning percentage of 54.55% for this month (six wins and five losses) while the New Orleans Pelicans have gotten 60% for this month (a record of six wins and four losses).
Over/Under Pick: Under 232 Total Points (-110) at DraftKings
It is predicted that the total score for the game will be under 232.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are getting 113.64 points a game up through now in December. On the other hand, the New Orleans Pelicans are recording 117.5 points per game so far this month, though the team’s per game average when playing away has been less at 115.0.
Spread Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder -2 Points (-110) at DraftKings
The Oklahoma City Thunder will need to win by the amount of the spread or more in order to cover.
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