Pelicans vs Thunder Prediction, Odds & Picks for NBA on ESPN (Nov. 1): OKC Stay Strong at Home

Spooky Season is officially behind us as the 2023-24 NBA campaign reaches November. There are 13 basketball games lined up for Wednesday, Nov. 1, including a clash between the New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

As the Pelicans get ready to face the OKC Thunder tomorrow, what does the Pels injury report look like?

Here's an update on Brandon Ingram and Jose Alvarado. pic.twitter.com/aPFIhCTiAq

— Kendall Duncan (@kendallduncanTV) October 31, 2023

Time will tell if the Pelicans can return to their successful ways after a 130-102 loss to the Golden State Warriors ended their three-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the Thunder improved to 2-1 in their last four games with Monday’s 124-112 win over the Detroit Pistons.

Bovada’s futures odds reveal that both sides have a way to go before being considered title contenders. New Orleans is available at +5000 (T-No. 14) to win the 2023-24 NBA Finals while Oklahoma City isn’t much further behind at +6000 (T-No. 16).

This Pelicans vs. Thunder betting preview contains everything you need to know for tonight’s matchup, including the latest NBA odds, a prediction, and the best bets to make.

Pelicans vs Thunder on ESPN Tonight (Nov. 1)

Matchup Information

• Matchup: New Orleans Pelicans (2-1, 1-0 Away) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (3-1, 1-1 Home)
• Venue & Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, OK)
• Date: Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023
• Game Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• Pelicans vs. Thunder TV Channel Info: ESPN

Pelicans vs Thunder Odds & Spread

NBA game odds courtesy of Bovada as of Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 9:04 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Spread

• New Orleans Pelicans +3.5 (-110)
• Oklahoma City Thunder -3.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 226 Points (-110)
• Under 226 Points (-110)

Moneyline

• New Orleans Pelicans +145
• Oklahoma City Thunder -170

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2023-24 NBA Futures Betting Articles

• 2024 NBA Championship Winner Odds, Favorites, and Predictions
• 2023/24 NBA Awards, Predictions & Best Bets
• NBA Scoring Leader Odds
• 2023 NBA Eastern Conference Divisional Preview, Predictions, & Best Bets
• 2023 NBA Western Conference Divisional Preview, Predictions, & Best Bets

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Pelicans vs Thunder Betting Trends

• New Orleans is 5-1 straight up in its last six road games vs. Oklahoma City.
• Oklahoma City is 8-3 straight up in its last 11 home games.
• New Orleans is 2-4 ATS in its last six Western Conference matchups.
• Oklahoma City is 6-2 ATS in its last eight games vs. New Orleans.
• The total has hit the Under in each of New Orleans’ last five road games.
• The total has hit the Over in nine of Oklahoma City’s last 12 games played in November.

Pelicans vs Thunder Prediction & Pick (Nov. 1)

This is the first Pelicans vs. Thunder clash of the year after meeting five times during the 2022-23 campaign. While New Orleans won the first three meetings, Oklahoma City ended the season series strong with back-to-back wins at Smoothie King Center.

Nevertheless, it’ll be interesting to see if the Pelicans can turn things around tonight. They played disappointingly in their loss to the Warriors, scoring only 102 points while shooting 25.6% from the three-point line while getting out-rebounded 64-39.

The good news for the Pelicans is that the Thunder are fairly average when it comes to defending the three-point shot this season. Oklahoma City has also struggled in the paint, collecting 49.8 rebounds per game (No. 27) while giving up 51.3 (No. 10).

But even if rebounding hasn’t been a strength, there are other things that the Thunder do well. For example, OKC averages 12.8 three-pointers per game (T-No. 12) on 40.5% shooting (No. 6). Meanwhile, New Orleans is averaging 11.o (T-No. 23) and 31.7% (No. 24), respectively.

It also helps that seven Thunder players are averaging at least 1.3 threes made with each of those players shooting 35.7% or better from beyond the arc.

The Pelicans rank ninth regarding defensive efficiency, but that won’t matter if the Thunder create a big lead by hitting their three-point shots early on. New Orleans’ lack of perimeter success will make it difficult to pull off a comeback.

In what should be a competitive affair, I’m taking the Thunder to win. The Pelicans' poor rebounding and three-point performance against the Warriors left much to be desired and playing on the road will make it difficult to get back on track.

Besides, the Thunder are a promising 6-2 ATS in their last eight encounters with the Pelicans.

Pelicans vs Thunder Prediction: OKC wins

Best Bet: OKC -3.5 (-110 on Bovada)

Pelicans vs Thunder Best Player Prop

While he’s known for his scoring ways, I’m going with the Over on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 5.5-rebound total as the best Pelicans vs. Thunder player prop.

Gilgeous-Alexander has been solid on the glass this year, averaging a career-high 7.3 rebounds per game. He’s finished with the Over on this prop twice in his last three games and is coming off a nine-rebound performance in his most recent outing.

Considering how he’s finished with six-plus boards in four straight meetings with the Pelicans, I love SGA’s odds to deliver on this prop bet again.

Bet: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander o5.5 Total Rebounds (+110 on Bovada)

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