Thunder vs Pelicans Odds & Picks – New Orleans Favored by 5.5 in 2023 NBA Play-In

• The Thunder visit the Pelicans in the West Play-In on Wednesday
• New Orleans is a 5.5-point favorite
• Who will move on? Find the Thunder vs Pelicans odds, preview, and picks below

A chance to play for the final seed in the playoffs is on the line Wednesday as the Oklahoma City Thunder (40-42, 16-25 road) head to the Big Easy to face the New Orleans Pelicans (42-40, 27-14 home) in the #10 vs #9 game in the NBA Play-in Tournament. the tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 PM ET at the Smoothie King Center.

OKC has won two in a row heading into this matchup, beating the Memphis Grizzlies by 15 on Sunday in the season finale. The Pels meanwhile lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves last time out but do own a 7-3 record in their last 10 outings.

Thunder vs Pelicans Odds

The Pelicans are laying 5.5 points here with moneyline odds of -220. They’ve gone 16-13-1 as an ATS home favorite this season. The Thunder comes back at +184 and actually have the fourth-best ATS road underdog record in the Association at 19-11-3. New Orleans won three of four meetings with OKC in 2022-23.

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Odds as of April 11th at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Bright Future Ahead for OKC

It’s safe to say no one expected the Thunder to even be in the Play-In. I mean, they’re supposedly still in a rebuild. But thanks to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and other key pieces around him, OKC opened some eyes.

SGA went nuclear, averaging 31.4 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.8 rebounds to lead the way, forming a dynamic backcourt with Josh Giddey, who is a versatile weapon. Add in the likes of Jalen Williams and Lu Dort and the Thunder have a nice core intact. Don’t forget, Chet Holmgren also returns next season, too, plus more draft picks coming in.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went OFF this season 😤 pic.twitter.com/hWkclKalqt

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 11, 2023

Mark Daigneault’s group ranks around the middle of the pack on both ends of the floor and sits fifth in PPG. That being said, the Thunder tend to struggle on the road and we all know that atmosphere in NOLA can be something. It will be interesting to see how Oklahoma City handles the pressure. Regardless of the outcome, this franchise has brighter days ahead.

Zion-Less Pels

A lot of analysts had the Pelicans as a serious dark horse in the West with Zion Williamson finally back on the floor. But, that was only if he stayed healthy. Between more injuries to the big man and Brandon Ingram also missing substantial time, New Orleans failed to live up to expectations, barely finishing above .500.

Zion is still out with no timetable for a return, even if they do make the playoffs. That means it’s Ingram and CJ McCollum leading the way, with BI averaging 24.7 PPG in 45 games. CJ managed to miss basically no time, putting up 20.9 points per night in 75 appearances.

Highlights from last season's #Pelicans Play-In win vs. the Spurs! #OneNOLA pic.twitter.com/qM5dGSaL69

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 12, 2023

With their season on the line Wednesday, the Pels’ playoff experience from last year should come in handy. This team can get hot from long range and does have the size to overwhelm OKC inside. It’s just a matter of actually making it all come together. Playing at the Smoothie King Center undoubtedly helps, where they’ve won five of their last six. Slowing down SGA with their strong perimeter defense will certainly be a focus, too.

Thunder vs Pelicans Prediction

Don’t get it twisted, the Thunder are one of the best ATS teams in the league. OKC has shown fight all year long and I expect that to be the case in this do-or-die contest. They will make it close at the minimum.

Pick: Thunder +5.5 (-110)