Today’s Pelicans vs. Thunder NBA predictions and best bets for Game 2 are brought to you by BetOnline. BetOnline is a market leader in sports betting, offering various options from the NBA playoffs to the UFC odds and everything in between.
The Oklahoma City Thunder will attempt to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round series against the New Orleans Pelicans when the times collide for Game 2 at 9:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 24.
The series is set. pic.twitter.com/3vpS4CK2En
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 20, 2024
The Thunder opened the series with Sunday’s close-fought 94-92 victory over the Pelicans. New Orleans couldn’t get any offense going as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all OKC players with 28 points while playing nearly 40 minutes.
Can New Orleans avoid a consecutive loss? Or will Oklahoma City take a convincing 2-0 series lead?
This article is your one-stop shop for Pelicans vs. Thunder predictions and best NBA bets, so buckle up and dive in.
Pelicans vs Thunder NBA Betting Tonight (4/24)
Pelicans vs Thunder Game 2 Information
- Matchup: No. 8 New Orleans Pelicans vs. No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC leads 1-0)
- Venue & Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, OK)
- Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
- Game Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
- How to Watch Pelicans vs. Thunder: TNT
Thunder vs Pelicans NBA Betting Odds & Spread
Thunder vs. Pelicans NBA odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Tuesday, April 23 at 11:05 p.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.
Pelicans vs Thunder Spread
- New Orleans Pelicans +7.5 (-108)
- Oklahoma City Thunder -7.5 (-112)
Thunder vs Pelicans Over/Under
- Over 210.5 Points (-110)
- Under 210.5 Points (-110)
Pelicans vs Thunder Moneyline
- New Orleans Pelicans (+260)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (-310)
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Pelicans vs Thunder NBA Betting Trends
- New Orleans is 1-5 straight up in its last six games vs. Oklahoma City.
- Oklahoma City is 6-0 straight up in its last six games.
- New Orleans is 4-2 ATS in its last six games.
- Oklahoma City is 13-6 ATS in its last 19 games vs. New Orleans.
- The total hit the Under in six of New Orleans’ last seven road games.
- The total hit the Under in four of Oklahoma City’s last six games as the favorite.
Pelicans vs Thunder Game 2 Predictions & NBA Picks Today (4/24)
It’s going to be interesting to see if there’s more offense than the combined 186 points that were scored in Game 1. The lack of offense had a lot to do with both sides shooting the ball poorly as the Pelicans shot 38.5% from the floor and 28.2% from deep while the Thunder finished with 43.5% and 31.3% success rates, respectively.
Even though they lost, one thing that the Pelicans did successfully was chase after their mistakes. They finished the night with 18 offensive rebounds (compared to the Thunder’s 8) while winning the overall rebounding battle 52-44.
Time will tell if New Orleans’ rebounding success was a fluke as Zion Williamson continues to miss time with a hamstring injury. The two-time NBA All-Star ranks second on the team with 5.8 RPG this season, after all. It’s also worth noting that the Pelicans are averaging 43.3 RPG in games that Williamson has missed this season compared to 44.2 when he’s in the lineup.
It’s a marginal difference but it could still play a role in tonight’s outcome.
Meanwhile, the Thunder head into Game 2 with a completely healthy lineup.
Can the Pelicans continue to survive life without Zion Williamson (hamstring)?
All eyes are on the Thunder to see if they can cover the 7.5-point spread at home. While Mark Daigneault’s team is 4-1 ATS in its last five games, it has only covered the spread once in its six previous outings on a Wednesday.
Even worse is that Oklahoma City is an abysmal 2-6 ATS in its last eight home games against New Orleans. In fact, the Thunder only won outright twice during that stretch, highlighting the need to shake that trend tonight.
The good news for the Thunder is that they’re currently on a six-game winning streak at Paycom Center. Oklahoma City’s defense was on full display in those victories, holding the opposition to 97.0 PPG with a plus-23.2 average scoring margin.
On the flip side, the Pelicans are 6-1 SU across their last seven road games while earning all but one of those wins by eight or more points.
Will the Thunder figure out a way to extend their winning streak at home?
I predict that the Thunder will take the 2-0 series lead with another victory tonight. Oklahoma City still has a lot to prove this postseason, but I don’t see New Orleans posing a massive threat — especially without Williamson. The Thunder know how to get the job done at home, so look for them to ride more solid defensive play to another victory.
But even if the Thunder win, I expect the Pelicans to cover the 7.5-point spread. Even though OKC is 4-1 SU in its last five meetings with New Orleans, only one of those wins came by at least eight points. Not only are the Pelicans also 6-2 ATS on their last eight trips to Oklahoma City, but they’re also 15-5-1 ATS as the road underdog this season.
Considering how the Thunder only won by two over the weekend, I expect Game 2 to be closer than the oddsmakers imply.
Pelicans vs Thunder NBA Game 2 Prediction: OKC wins
Best Pelicans vs Thunder NBA Bet: NOP +7.5 (-108)
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Best Pelicans vs Thunder NBA Game 2 Prop Bet (4/24)
There are a few Pelicans vs. Thunder player props that stand out to me, including the Over on Chet Holmgren’s 9.5-rebound total (+106).
Holmgren loves to rack up rebounds whenever he faces the Pelicans. After finishing Game 1 with 11 boards, the former 2022 second-overall pick has now hit the Over in three of his four career meetings with New Orleans, averaging 11.0 RPG along the way. It’s worth noting that he even collected nine rebounds in the one game where he finished with the Under.
With the Pelicans surrendering the 10th-most rebounds to centers this season, it’s a no-brainer to sprinkle some money on this Holmgren prop.
Best Pelicans vs Thunder Game 2 Prop Bet: Chet Holmgren o9.5 Total Rebounds (+106)
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