It’s getting tight at the foot of the Western Conference playoff standings, with the eighth through tenth seeds separated by just a couple of games. The New Orleans Hornets are currently in ninth, two games in front of the tenth-placed Thunder. The two teams face off for a crucial home-and-home series this week beginning in New Orleans which could have some serious ramifications to either team’s playoff hopes.
Read on below for our preview of this critical Western Conference clash. And over in the East, the Wizards and Hawks collide in a battle of two of the conference’s top three. See our complete breakdown of that big game here.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans
When: Wednesday, February 4, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Oklahoma City Thunder at New Orleans Pelicans — view all NBA lines
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder
Russell Westbrook did everything in his power to give the Oklahoma City Thunder a much needed 104-97 win over the Orlando Magic on Monday. With Kevin Durant sitting out once again due to his sprained toe, Westbrook tallied 25 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists for his second triple-double of the season.
Dion Waiters, who was inserted into the starting lineup in place of Durant, stepped up with 24 points in 41 minutes, both are his most since being traded to the Thunder last month.
The good news for the Thunder is that Durant may be ready to return in time to face New Orleans. The bad news is that the Thunder return to the road, where they have struggled mightily of late. Oklahoma City has lost its last four road games, including a loss to the struggling New York Knicks despite 40 points from Westbrook.
A big part of the Thunder’s recent struggles has to do with the total disappearance of sixth man Reggie Jackson. Jackson is averaging just six points per game in his last seven games, and was held scoreless in 17 minutes against the Magic.
With Jackson fading from relevance, the Thunder will need someone to provide some scoring off their bench against the Pelicans. That someone could be Anthony Morrow, who scored 15 points and hit three three-pointers against the Magic. Oklahoma City has won five of its last six games in which Morrow has scored in double-digits.
Betting on the New Orleans Pelicans
Anthony Davis made quite a return to the lineup as his 29 points and 13 rebounds keyed the Pelicans’ 115-100 win over the Atlanta Hawks to end Atlanta’s massive 19-game winning streak.
Of course, the Pelicans didn’t really miss a beat with Davis gone, either. They defeated the Clippers, 108-103, with Davis sitting out his strained groin. Eric Gordon led the way with 28 points against his old team.
The Pelicans have taken full advantage of their recent home-heavy schedule. They’ve won six of their last seven games, six of which were at the Smoothie King Center.
The Pelicans have also taken advantage of the Thunder’s apparent inability to handle Davis. The Pelicans are 2-0 this season against OKC, with Davis averaging 31.5 points and 11 rebounds in those two wins.
Jrue Holiday, who had 25 assists in those two games, shouldn’t be missed as much with Tyreke Evans thriving as the primary ball handler. Evans has dished off 12 or more dimes in four of his last five games, all resulting in Pelicans wins.
New Orleans’ spacing also figures to be much better this time around with Eric Gordon now in the lineup to spread the floor alongside Ryan Anderson. Gordon and Anderson have 28 three-pointers between them in the last five games, an average of close to three each per game.
Writer’s Prediction
Davis leads the Pelicans to a win and cover.
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