Thunderous Intentions
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Deep Dive: OKC Thunder and west opponents stretch schedule analysis

By Tamberlyn Richardson

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MARCH 08: Oklahoma City Thunder Forward Paul George (13) plays defense as Phoenix Suns Guard Devin Booker (1) looks to pass during the Oklahoma City Thunder game versus the Phoenix Suns on March 8, 2018, at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK. (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MARCH 08: Oklahoma City Thunder Forward Paul George (13) plays defense as Phoenix Suns Guard Devin Booker (1) looks to pass during the Oklahoma City Thunder game versus the Phoenix Suns on March 8, 2018, at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, OK. (Photo by Torrey Purvey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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OKC Thunder
NEW ORLEANS, LA – MARCH 09: Anthony Davis /

New Orleans Pelicans:

Record: 38-28

Current Seed: 5th

Games Remaining: 16

Back to Back Sets: Three, Rockets/Celtics (Mar. 17/18), Mavericks/Pacers (Mar. 20/21), @Suns/@Warriors (Apr. 6/7)

Road vs Home Games:  6 road (60.0 win%) | 11 home (54.8 win%)

West vs. East Games:  12 West | 4 East

Games left vs. current lottery teams: 5

Games left vs. current playoff teams: 11

Strength of Schedule remaining: Rank 7th with .549 SOS

Toughest Teams: Rockets x2, Warriors, Celtics, Blazers

Easiest Teams: Grizzlies, Suns, Mavericks

Current Win Percent: 57.6%

Last 10/streaks: 8-2 lost two (prior to losses were on a 10 game win streak)

Tie Break Records: 

Jazz: Utah won series 3-1

Nuggets: Denver are up 2-1 in series with final game in series April 9

Clippers: New Orleans leads series 2-1 with game to play April 9

Spurs:  San Antonio are up 2-0 with two to play on March 15 and April 11

Wolves: Minnesota swept season series

Thunder: New Orleans already won series 2-0 with one to play April 1

Blazers: Pelicans up 2-1 with one to play on March 27

Notes:

Anthony Davis returned to play the Jazz, but it didn’t make a difference. At this point he’s nursing so many injuries it could be hard to channel the MVP type effort he was producing until the injuries.

While the Jazz have been on a terror they needed to keep winning just to get on the ladder. Conversely, New Orleans were already seeded so they climbed to fourth with a10-game win streak mostly on the back of Davis and his obscene stat line.

When comparing teams a major uncontrollable factor is the Pelicans have three extra games to work with over OKC.

Prediction:

The Pelicans schedule isn’t easy although they’ll play more at home than on the road. Oddly however, New Orleans has a better road than home record. Barring a complete meltdown it seems likely they get in. It’s hard to figure out the win percentage though given the recent 10 game win streak.

Diving into that streak highlights several overtime games and wins versus lottery teams. With the second most games left to play in this middling group (16) and 11 playoff squads my instinct is to go slightly under their seasonal win percentage of 57.6%. My guess is they win just under half of the playoff seeded teams on tap for approximately 9 wins which would take the Pels to 47 wins.

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