Oklahoma City Thunder at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 4/1/2018

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Oklahoma City Thunder travel to Smoothie King Center to play the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, April 1, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Oklahoma City as 1 point favorites.

The Thunder come into this game with an overall record of 44-33. They are 3rd in the Northwest Division. They currently have a point differential of 3.1 as they are averaging 107.4 points per game while giving up 104.3 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall mark of 43-33. They currently are 3rd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 111.2 points per contest and giving up 110.9, which is a point differential of 0.3.

Valuable Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Trends

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 29-45-3 against the spread

The Oklahoma City Thunder are 35-42-0 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 41-34-1 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 43-33-0 against the over/under

Key Oklahoma City Thunder Injuries

01/28/18 G Andre Roberson Leg is out for season

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out for season
01/27/18 F DeMarcus Cousins Achilles is out for season

Player Spotlight

Russell Westbrook averages 25.4 points per game in 36.3 minutes per contest this season. He averages 10.1 assists per contest and 9.7 rebounds per game for Oklahoma City. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 73%. Carmelo Anthony comes into this contest averaging 16.3 points per game while playing 32.2 minutes per night so far this season for the Thunder. He pulls down 5.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 41% while his free throw percentage is currently at 76%.

Player Spotlight

Anthony Davis averages 28.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 36.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 11.1 rebounds per contest and 2.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage is 84%. Jrue Holiday averages 19.1 points per game while playing 36.3 minutes per contest this year for the Pelicans. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 5.8 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage currently is at 78%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Thunder allow 104.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 9th in the league. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 12th and 23rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 42.2 rebounds a game which ranks 6th, and they give up 23.2 assists per contest which puts them in 14th place in the league. They force 16 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the league. Oklahoma City averages 107.4 points per contest this season, which ranks them 12th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is 3.08 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 18th. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 22nd in the league. They average 44.9 rebounds per game and 21.3 assists per game, which ranks them 6th and 28th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 17th with 14 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans surrender 110.9 points per contest, which ranks them 29th in the NBA. Their defense is allowing a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 10th in those defensive statistics. They rank 19th with 23.7 assists allowed per contest, and 25th with 45.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pelicans are 15th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 14.3 per game this season. New Orleans is 4th in the league with 111.2 points per game this year. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 0.29. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 18th in the NBA. They are 12th in the league in rebounding with 44.1 boards per game and 3rd in assists per contest with 26.4. The Pelicans are 9th in turnovers per game with 14.9.

Advanced Statistics

The Thunder are 8th in the league in defensive rating with 107.3, and their offensive rating of 110.4 is ranked 20th. They are 19th in the NBA in pace with 96.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 18th. As a unit they are 23rd in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 15th in the NBA. Oklahoma City is 24th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.4 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 14th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 13th in the league in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.4 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 22nd in the NBA. The Pelicans are 13th in the league in defensive rating with 108.9, and their offensive rating of 109.2 is ranked 16th. They are 2nd in the NBA in pace with 100.3 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 5th. As a unit they are 7th in the league in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shot attempts, ranking 22nd in the NBA.

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

Tony's Pick: Take New Orleans +1

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