Sunday, February 26, 2017

Chesapeake Energy Arena

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The New Orleans Pelicans travel to Chesapeake Energy Arena to play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, February 26, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Oklahoma City as 1.5 point favorites.

The Pelicans come into this game with an overall record of 23-35. They are 4th in the Southwest Division. They currently have a point differential of -3.6 as they are averaging 103.3 points per game while giving up 106.9 per contest. The Thunder have an overall record of 33-25. They currently are 2nd in the Northwest Division. They are averaging 106.0 points per game and surrendering 105.8, good for a point differential of 0.2.

Demarcus Cousins comes into this contest averaging 27.8 points per game while playing 34.4 minutes per night so far this season for the Pelicans. He pulls down 10.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is currently at 77%. Anthony Davis averages 27.7 points per game in 36.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.2 assists per contest and 11.9 rebounds per game for New Orleans. His field goal percentage is 50% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Russell Westbrook averages 30.8 points per game while playing 34.7 minutes per contest this year for the Thunder. He grabs 10.6 rebounds per game and has 10.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage currently is at 83%. Victor Oladipo averages 16.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 33.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.4 rebounds per contest and 2.5 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 74%.

New Orleans averages 103.3 points per contest this season which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -3.6 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them ranked 22nd. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 18th in the league. They average 43.9 rebounds per game and 22.6 assists per game which ranks them 14th and 14th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 24th with 13.1 per game. The Pelicans allow 106.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 22nd in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc ranking them 9th and 8th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 48.5 rebounds a game which ranks 30th and they give up 23.5 assists per contest which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 13.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 13th in the league.

Oklahoma City averages 106 points per game this year which ranks them 13th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 0.19 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team which has them sitting in the 19th spot in the league. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 29th in the NBA. They average 46.4 rebounds per game and 21.1 assists per contest which ranks them 3rd and 24th respectively. In the turnover department the Thunder rank 8th with 15.1 per game. The Thunder allow 105.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 18th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc ranking them 17th and 11th in those defensive statistics. Opponents average 41.5 rebounds a game which ranks 5th and they give up 21.6 assists per contest which puts them in 7th place in the league. The Thunder force 13.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 14th in the NBA.

The Pelicans have an offensive rating of 104 and a defensive rating of 107.6. In terms of pace they average 98.1 possessions per 48 minutes and their effective field goal percentage is 50%. As a team they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they shoot 3 pointers on 31% of their shots. New Orleans turns the ball over an average of 12 times per 100 possessions and they force 12.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%.

The Thunder rating on offense is 107.3 and they have a defensive rating of 107.1. They get 98.1 possessions per 48 minutes and they have an effective field goal percentage of 50%. As a unit they have a true shooting percentage of 54% and they attempt 3 pointers on 30% of their shot attempts. Oklahoma City turns the ball over on 13.3 out of every 100 possessions and their opponents average 12.5 turnovers per 100 possessions. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the year is 51%.

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 27-30-1 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 27-31-0 against the over/under

Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 32-25-1 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 23-31-4 against the over/under

New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/22/16 F Quincy Pondexter Knee out indefinitely
02/25/17 F Omri Casspi Thumb has been waived
02/25/17 C Omer Asik Illness "?" Saturday vs. Dallas

Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

02/25/17 G Victor Oladipo Back "?" Sunday vs. New Orleans

Tony's Pick: Take Oklahoma City -1.5

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