Oklahoma City Thunder at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 11/20/2017

Monday, November 20, 2017

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Oklahoma City Thunder head to Smoothie King Center to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, November 20, 2017. The opening line for this game has Oklahoma City as 2.5 point favorites.

The Thunder head into this matchup with a mark of 7-8. They are 4th in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 5.4 as they are averaging 102.9 points per contest while giving up 97.5 per game. The Pelicans have an overall mark of 8-8. They currently are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 108.4 points per contest and giving up 110.6, which is a point differential of -2.2.

Valuable Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 6-8-1 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 5-10-0 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 9-7-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 8-8-0 against the over/under

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

11/19/17 F Anthony Davis Concussion left last game, is doubtful Monday vs. Oklahoma City
11/19/17 G Tony Allen Knee is "?" Monday vs. Oklahoma City
10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook comes into this game averaging 19.9 points per contest while playing 34.3 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 8.2 rebounds per contest and distributes 9.5 assists per game. His FG percentage is 40% while his free throw percentage is 70%. Paul George averages 21.6 points per contest in 36.7 minutes per game this year. He averages 2.7 assists per game and 5.9 rebounds per contest for Oklahoma City. His field goal percentage is 43% for the season while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

Demarcus Cousins has scored 27.1 points per contest while playing 36.8 minutes per game this season for the Pelicans. He hauls in 13.2 rebounds per contest and has 5.6 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 77%. Jrue Holiday averages 14.3 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 36.9 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.9 rebounds per game and 6.4 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Oklahoma City averages 102.9 points per contest this year, which is 21st in the league. Their average scoring margin is 5.4 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a unit, which has them ranked 22nd. From 3-point territory they shoot 35%, which is good for 21st in the NBA. They average 42.1 boards per contest and 21 assists per game, which ranks them 22nd and 21st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 22nd with 14.8 per game. The Thunder allow 97.5 points per contest which is 2nd in the NBA. They also surrender a 43% shooting percentage and a 35% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 9th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 42.9 rebounds a game which ranks 12th, and they allow 20.2 assists per game which puts them in 5th place in the league. They force 18.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans is 10th in the NBA with 108.4 points per contest this season. They are 3rd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is -2.19. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 25th in the league. They are 17th in the NBA in rebounding with 43.6 boards per contest and 3rd in assists per game with 26. The Pelicans are 6th in turnovers per contest with 16.4. The Pelicans give up 110.6 points per game, which ranks them 27th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 24th and 25th in those defensive statistics. They rank 20th with 23.5 dimes allowed per game and 19th with 44.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Pelicans are 21st in the league in forcing turnovers with 16 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Thunder are 13th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107, and their defensive rating of 101.4 is ranked 28th. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 96.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 17th. As a team they are 21st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 8th in the league. Oklahoma City is 20th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 17 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 49%, which is 26th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 7th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 5th in the league. The Pelicans are 12th in the NBA in offensive rating with 107.5, and their defensive rating of 109.6 is ranked 5th. In terms of pace they are 7th in the league with 100.2 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 4th. As a team they are 5th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 14th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Thunder/Pelicans NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Oklahoma City -2.5

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