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The Oklahoma City Thunder host the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, January 27 at Paycom Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET. Oklahoma City enters this Western Conference clash at 32-13, pushing for the No. 1 seed behind elite two-way play. The Pelicans, meanwhile, are stuck near the bottom of the standings at 12-36 and come into this one with a 6-17 road record.
The Thunder are laying -14.5 points as of Saturday morning, with a total sitting at 234.5. It’s a massive number, but OKC has consistently handled weaker teams — especially at home. Injuries and potential minute restrictions on both sides could affect the margin, so sharp bettors will need to time their entry and weigh the depth of each rotation.
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Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Odds
These are the current lines. For any shifts closer to tip, track the latest NBA odds.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | -909 | -14.5 (-110) | O 234.5 (-110) |
| New Orleans Pelicans | +610 | +14.5 (-110) | U 234.5 (-110) |
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Form
The Thunder are 20-5 at home and have covered large numbers multiple times this season. They rank among the league’s top five in offensive and defensive efficiency and score over 120 points per game at Paycom Center. Their ability to push tempo, create early offense, and bury teams from the arc makes them dangerous as big favorites. You can track season-long metrics and recent results on the Oklahoma City Thunder stats and results.
That said, availability does matter. Several rotation players have been on the injury report this week, and how many minutes the starters log in a blowout could shape both the side and the total. Make sure to check the Oklahoma City Thunder injury report before placing any bets.
Against the spread, OKC is 27-18 overall and 15-9 ATS at home. They’ve covered 60% of games as double-digit favorites and tend to get separation early. Still, if key starters rest late — or if the bench plays extended minutes — backdoor covers remain a risk. The game script becomes crucial when laying this many points.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Form
New Orleans is just 6-17 SU on the road and 18-29-1 ATS overall. Their biggest issue has been defensive effort and consistency — they rank bottom five in points allowed and have been vulnerable against pick-and-roll-heavy teams like OKC. Offensively, they generate some second-chance points with offensive rebounding, but struggle to hit from deep or protect the ball. You can review the full picture on the New Orleans Pelicans schedule and stats.
Injuries have plagued this team all season. Rotation players continue to miss time, and that’s crushed their cohesion. Late-game execution is poor, and their perimeter defense is even worse. Before making any play, review the New Orleans Pelicans injury report for any active/inactive surprises.
From a betting standpoint, the Pelicans have been nearly unplayable on the road against top teams. They’re 2-10 ATS as underdogs of 10+ points, and their lack of floor spacing makes comebacks rare once they fall behind. If they’re going to cover, it’ll take early shot variance or a full-on bench collapse from the Thunder.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Matchup Breakdown
There’s no question who the better team is here. OKC plays fast, creates high-quality looks, and forces turnovers at a top-tier rate. The Pelicans don’t defend the perimeter well and are turnover-prone — a bad combination in a fast-paced game.
Shot profile favors the Thunder. They attack the rim and shoot threes — two areas the Pelicans rank poorly in defending. New Orleans takes more midrange jumpers and rarely wins at the free throw line. That means fewer high-efficiency looks and lower scoring ceiling.
One thing the Pelicans do well? Offensive rebounding. That could keep them in the game slightly longer, especially if OKC gives up early second chances. But that advantage fades if they can’t convert those into efficient points.
Scheduling also favors the Thunder. They’re rested and at home. New Orleans is on the road and playing their third game in four nights. If fatigue hits in the second half, this could break open.
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Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Predictions and Best Bets
The Thunder have all the edges — team form, home court, offense, defense, pace, and motivation. The Pelicans are simply overmatched. The only thing working against an OKC cover is the size of the spread and potential bench minutes late.
If starters get their full run, -14.5 is playable. If there are red flags on rotations or injuries, bettors may want to pivot to live lines or first-half spreads. New Orleans has only led after the first quarter in 4 of their last 14 road games — fading them early has been profitable.
Total-wise, 234.5 is close to fair. OKC could hit 125 on their own, but blowout game scripts often lead to sluggish fourth quarters. If the Pelicans keep it semi-close into the third, this should push Over. But late-game pace and substitutions add some volatility.
Another way to play this is team totals. OKC team total Over is appealing based on matchup and recent home form. They’ve hit 120+ in six of their last eight at home.
Best Bet: Oklahoma City Thunder -14.5 (-110)
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