Game Tonight: OKC Thunder vs Pelicans Odds, Injury Report, Predictions, for December 23rd

Week 10 for the OKC Thunder finishes with the New Orleans Pelicans in town. It’s the second of four meetings between these squads this season.

The teams played back on November 28th with the Pelicans edging out the OKC Thunder 105-101 but much has changed in New Orleans since that match.

The personnel is the same but the Pelicans have been on a rollercoaster ride climbing all the way to the top of the West’s ladder and then quickly learning how it feels to be the top target of all the other teams which led to a losing streak.

Make no mistake, this Pelicans team is going to be in the mix at season end and for years to come. As the OKC Thunder reformulate and rebuild for the future this squad (and the Grizzlies) will be teams they’ll be vying with to win the conference.

Thunderous Intentions offers up the game details including odds, injuries, and notable game time specifics.

• Scroll down for our Thunder – Pelicans Prediction and Game Details

OKC Thunder vs Pelicans Odds, Spread, Over/Under

Surprise, surprise — the oddsmakers have the OKC Thunder favored by 2.0 points to win the game. The over/under of 232 points while the money line is set at plus +125 for the Pelicans and minus -100 for the Thunder.

Some other betting notables:

• The OKC Thunder are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games.
• The Pelicans are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
• The OKC Thunder are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games at home.
• The Pelicans are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games against OKC
• The OKC Thunder are 14-6 SU in their last 20 games when hosting the Pelicans.
• The Pelicans are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games.
• The total has gone over in 10 of New Orleans’ last 14 games on the road.
  The total has gone under in 4 of OKC’s last 5 games.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

Injury Report

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is listed as out with his ankle tweak in the early report but might be upgraded in the later report. Ousmane Dieng (fractured wrist) is out indefinitely.

Chet Holmgren (foot) is out for the season.

UPDATE: Tre Mann and Jaylin Williams have been recalled from their  G League assignment

Since the Pelicans played on Thursday they haven’t provided an injury update.

With that in mind, I’ve looked at various sites and considered who was out on Thursday to make my best guess but suggest you keep checking the hourly NBA Official injury reports.

Some betting sites list Zion Williamson as questionable given he’s no longer in quarantine but he didn’t play Thursday, and some believe the team will hold him out until Monday.

Larry Nance Jr. (Achilles) is questionable Brandon Ingram (toe) and E.J. Liddell (knee) are out indefinitely.

OKC Thunder vs. Pelicans key matchup and prediction

The OKC Thunder will host the Pelicans again on February 13th while the last game of the regular season series will take place back in New Orleans on  March 11th

While both clubs have young superstars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Zion Williamson the Pelicans are well ahead of the Thunder in their rebuild.

That said, a gander at the roster and moves made by David Griffin offers some insight into what Sam Presti could do in a year or two. Griffin drafted smartly, gaining a cornerstone talent and nicely suited role players.

Trades tp add CJ McCollum and Jonas Valanciunas helped bolster the team with wise vets who consistently offer production on the court and wisdom off it.

In terms of the numbers, the Pelicans are among the league leaders on offense. They average 117.6 points per game which is the third highest.

Their proficiency is strong as well as they shoot 48.5 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from the perimeter to rank fifth and 10th respectively.

Although their offense is lethal with three players who can go off on any given night it’s the defensive side of the floor where head coach Willie Green has the Pelicans playing better.

The Pels allow 112.6 points per game (ranks 14th) while opponents shoot 46.5 percent from the field and 33.7 percent from the perimeter which ranks ninth and third respectively.

In terms of betting on the game, my advice is to keep checking the injury updates since the Thunder facing the Pelicans without both Williamson and Ingram would sweeten the prospect of betting on them to win and cover.

I’m sort of inclined to lean in that direction regardless. But one caution — the game prior to (and after) Christmas is among the five toughest of the year because players’ minds are wandering to holiday events with family and friends.

What channel is the Thunder-Pelicans game on?

Per usual the game will be broadcast on Bally Sports Oklahoma or NBA League Pass. Tip-Off is set for 8:00 p.m. EST (7:00 CT) from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans,  Louisiana

OKC Thunder vs. Pelicans Live Stream

If you need a live stream of the event, check out FuboTV for a free trial!

Thunder Next Game and Schedule

Coming up in week 11 the OKC Thunder has three games with two at home and one road game. They’ll begin the week hosting the Spurs on Tuesday, travel to Charlotte to play the Hornets on Thursday, and finish the week back home ringing in the New Year by hosting the 76ers on Saturday.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.