The New Orleans Pelicans (3-8) visit the Oklahoma City Thunder (9-2) in the NBA this Wednesday, which is set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The game will broadcast live on ESPN.
The Thunder are 14.5-point favorites over the Pelicans on the spread (Thunder -14.5), with the over/under currently at 223 points. The Thunder are -1200 favorites on the moneyline to win outright, while New Orleans is +750 to pull off the upset.
Let's dive into my Pelicans vs. Thunder predictions and my NBA picks for Wednesday, November 13.
Pelicans vs. Thunder Prediction, Picks
Moneyline
The moneyline price is -1200 to back the Thunder, the number one seed in the West.
This carries an implied probability of 92%. It's worth noting that after a slate of NBA Cup games on Tuesday, this is simply normal regular season action with no further implications.
If it were a Cup game, I may actually play the ML because of the way teams get up for these spots. Without that, it's a pass at this price for sure.
Spread
The Thunder are -14.5 point favorites, and I find that impossible to play.
They have a massive talent advantage here despite the Chet injury. They also have a large coaching advantage as Mark Daigneault is one of the leagues best coaches (last season he won Coach of the Year), and Willie Green is on the opposite end, he is on the hot seat with his job.
This is a rare spot I would consider buying insurance points and playing an alt spread. Look to bring this below the 5 or 7 mark and get the late game foul threshold on your side.
Over/Under
My Thunder vs. Pelicans best bet is on the game total over 222.5.
The best line is available at bet365, but make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
The Pelicans came into the season without a true center, and the Thunder are dealing with cluster injuries to their bigs. This is going to be a small game for the full 48 minutes without much rim protection. I expect a very high pace.
Pick: Over 223
Pelicans vs. Thunder Odds
| Pelicans Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+14.5 -110 | 223 -110o / -110u | +750 |
| Thunder Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-14.5 -110 | 223 -110o / -110u | -1200 |
- Pelicans vs. Thunder Odds: Thunder -14.5
- Pelicans vs. Thunder Over/Under: 223 points
- Pelicans vs. Thunder Moneyline: Thunder -1200, Pelicans +750
Pelicans vs. Thunder Preview
This largest note for capping this game is the lack of bigs and rim protection on each side.
The Thunder are dealing with a gambling term called cluster injuries, where they are missing an entire position group. They are without Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams.
The impact goes beyond the value of each individual player, because the replacement options are not there. This forces the Thunder to play 48 minutes of small ball, increasing their pace and decreasing their rim protection.
On the Pelicans' side, they are using wings as bigs this season — as they announced Herb Jones (injured and out) was intended to be their center. They are now relying on rookie Yves Missi, and dont have a single 7 footer on their roster.
Pelicans vs. Thunder Prediction
The line universally opened at 222.5 and some books are already starting to move this total up.
This is not only a market read, but a basketball angle that correlates and makes a lot of sense. I think this is playable below 224 and has room to move in the totals as the market is still not settled.
I am also attacking this in the SGP angle, playing into Jalen Williams over points and rebounds because he is one player sizing up.
Best Bet: Over 223 (bet365)
Same Game Parlay: Over 223 | Jalen Williams Over 26.5 Points + Rebounds (odds not listed yet)
Pelicans vs. Thunder Starting Lineups
Pelicans Starting Lineup
PG: (unknown since Alvarado injury)
SG: Brandon Boston Jr
SF: Brandon Ingram
PF: Trey Murphy III
C: Yves Missi
Thunder Starting Lineup
PG: Isaiah Joe
SG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SF: Aaron Wiggins
PF: Jalen Williams
C: Lu Dort
Pelicans vs. Thunder Viewing Info: Channel, Start Time, Streaming
| Location: | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK |
| Date: | Wednesday, November 13 |
| Time: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming Options: | ESPN |
