It’s a battle of two teams on opposite ends of the NBA spectrum when the undefeated Oklahoma City Thunder host the winless New Orleans Pelicans.
The Pels are wrapping up a three-game road trip, and the books aren’t giving them much hope, setting them as 12.5-point road dogs in the NBA odds.
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My Pelicans vs. Thunder predictions and NBA picks have the defending champions winning big at home this afternoon.
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Pelicans vs Thunder prediction
Pelicans vs Thunder best bet: Thunder -12.5 (-110)
The Oklahoma City Thunder are coming off a 127-108 whipping of the Wizards, but blowout wins have been few and far between in this 6-0 start. Their only other win by double digits was in Atlanta. Otherwise, the four other games have been decided by seven points or fewer.
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The Thunder have the league’s third-leading scorer in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (34.2 points), but they have yet to pair him with All-Star Jalen Williams this year, as he recovers from offseason wrist surgery. Williams will be sidelined again, joined by big man Chet Williams (back), who will miss his third straight game.
Still, that shouldn’t be a concern against a New Orleans Pelicans team that has the lowest scoring output in the NBA at 108 points per game, paired with a Bottom-4 defense that allows 123.6 points per contest.
After suffering back-to-back 30+ point losses to the Celtics and Nuggets, the Pelicans took the Clippers to the buzzer last time out, only for Kawhi Leonard to play hero with a dagger at the buzzer to seal a 126-124 win.
They’ll be hard-pressed to put up that total Sunday. OKC owns the top defensive rating in the league in the early going, and they rank second in the league in points off turnovers, converting those into 23.7 per contest.
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Not to mention, the Thunder have won 10 straight meetings with New Orleans and are 9-1 ATS in those games. Another cover should be in order on Sunday.
Pelicans vs Thunder same-game parlay
Let’s build our SGP with the reigning MVP. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been hot out of the gate, with 30+ points in all but one start this year.
However, he’s gone Under his total of 31.5 points in four straight games. In six straight games vs. NOLA, he’s gone Under 31.5 points. He’ll still be the top scoring option, but I expect him to spread the love around to beat up the lowly Pelicans.
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Isaiah Hartenstein just had his double-digit rebound streak stopped at four, but he should be back on the high side against NOLA, who are second-last in defensive rebounding. That should help Hartenstein pick up more offensive boards.
Pelicans vs Thunder SGP
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Under 31.5 points
Isaiah Hartenstein Over 10.5 rebounds
Our “from downtown” SGP: Shooting struggles
Isaiah Joe is coming off his best scoring game of the year, potting 20 against Washington. However, he’s only hit double digits twice in five games, and has only hit 10 points in one of his last seven against the Pelicans.
We’ll take another Under in Lu Dort’s scoring line of 9.5 points, and this is a trend bet: Dort has scored in double digits once this season. He’s shooting a rough 30% from the field and 18.2% from 3-point range.
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Pelicans vs Thunder SGP
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Under 31.5 points
Isaiah Hartenstein Over 10.5 rebounds
Isaiah Joe Under 9.5 points
Pelicans vs Thunder odds
Spread: New Orleans +12.5 | Oklahoma City -12.5
Moneyline: New Orleans +500 | Oklahoma City -1000
Over/Under: Over 228.5 | Under 228.5
Pelicans vs Thunder betting trend to know
The Thunder have covered the spread in seven straight games against the Pelicans and nine of the last 10 meetings. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Thunder.
How to watch Pelicans vs Thunder
Location | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK |
Date | Sunday, November 2, 2025 |
Tip-off | 3:30 p.m. ET |
TV | Pelicans+, FDSN Oklahoma |
Pelicans vs Thunder latest injuries
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