Oklahoma City Thunder at New Orleans Pelicans Pick – Odds and ATS Predictions

The Oklahoma City Thunder will travel to New Orleans to take on Anthony Davis and the Pelicans on Wednesday night. Both the Thunder and Pelicans look like playoff contenders in the rugged Western Conference this season, and there will be plenty of star power on the floor. The Pelicans lost a close game to the Thunder in Oklahoma City in early November.

The Thunder begins the week in a first-place tie with the Denver Nuggets atop the Northwest Division. After getting off to a 0-4 start this season, the Thunder have been the best team in the NBA since the end of October. New Orleans begins the week with a 14-14 record, and have struggled to find consistency necessary to go on a big winning streak. The Pelicans are right in the middle of the pack in the Western Conference.

Davis Powering Pelicans

All-Star power forward Anthony Davis is having another monster year in leading his Pelicans team. Davis leads the team with 26.9 points and 12.4 rebounds per game this season. There are always trade rumors surrounding Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans, but as long as he is on the floor, his team has a chance to win.

The Pelicans are the second highest scoring team in the NBA this season, averaging 118 points per game. Point guard Jrue Holiday is a big reason for this offensive explosion as he is averaging 21.0 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. New Orleans loves to run, and Holiday will put a ton of pressure on the Thunder while pushing the ball. The Pelicans will need to play better on defense in this game, as they come in averaging 115.6 points allowed per game.

Thunder Playing Great Defense

The Oklahoma City Thunder have been one of the best defensive teams in the NBA this season, allowing just 104.4 points per game. Paul George is once again proving that he is one of the best two-way players in the league, averaging 2.2 steals per game. The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging nearly six blocks per game, and make it tough on opponents to score at the rim. The interior defense of the Thunder will be challenged against the Pelicans.

Russell Westbrook and Paul George have been carrying the Thunder offense so far this season. George is averaging a team-high 24 points per game this season while shooting 43 percent from the floor. Westbrook is up to his old tricks, averaging a triple-double, with 22.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 10.2 assists. If the Thunder are going to make a deep run in the 2019 NBA Playoffs, George and Westbrook will carry them.