Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Drake meet up at halftime of Thunder-Raptors
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander greets rapper Drake at halftime of Thunder-Raptors game in Toronto on Thursday.
The OKC Thunder will face the New Orleans Pelicans on the road at 6 p.m. Saturday.
OKC (17-5) earned a 129-92 road win over Toronto on Thursday. The Thunder holds a 1-0 lead in its regular-season series against the Pelicans.
New Orleans (5-18) earned a 126-124 home win over Phoenix on Thursday. The Pelicans snapped a nine-game losing streak with the victory.
Here’s a preview of the game, including score predictions, betting odds and injury updates.
Thunder vs. Pelicans prediction, picks
Justin Martinez: OKC 113, New Orleans 105
OKC earned a 106-88 home win over New Orleans on Nov. 13. But the Pelicans are healthier this time around with Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum back in the mix, and they shouldn’t be taken lightly. Still, I like OKC’s chances. The Thunder has enough perimeter defenders to make life difficult for Murray and McCollum, and it’ll come out on top for its seventh win in the last eight games.
Thunder vs. Pelicans betting odds
Odds courtesy of via BetMGM as of Saturday, Dec. 7
Odds: Thunder by 8.5
Over/under: 221.5
Moneyline: OKC -350 | New Orleans +260
Thunder vs. Pelicans injury updates
Thunder: Ousmane Dieng (small right ring finger fracture) is out. Alex Ducas (G League two-way) is out. Chet Holmgren (right iliac wing fracture) is out. Dillon Jones (G League assignment) is out. Nikola Topic (left knee surgery) is out. Jaylin Williams (right hamstring strain) is out.
Pelicans: Jose Alvarado (left hamstring strain) is out. Jordan Hawkins (lumbar spine annular fissure) is out. Karlo Matkovic (low back soreness) is questionable. Antonio Reeves (G League assignment) is out. Daniel Theis (neck spasm) is questionable. Zion Williamson (left hamstring strain) is out.
Projected Thunder starting lineup
(With season averages)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 29.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.5 assists
- Cason Wallace: 6.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals
- Lu Dort: 9.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists
- Jalen Williams: 21.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2 steals
- Isaiah Hartenstein: 11.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks
Projected Pelicans starting lineup
- Dejounte Murray: 13.8 points, 6 rebounds and 2.3 steals
- CJ McCollum: 21.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists
- Brandon Ingram: 23.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists
- Herb Jones: 7.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.2 steals
- Yves Missi: 9 points, 8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks
How to watch Thunder vs. Pelicans
OKC will face New Orleans on the road at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, on FanDuel Sports Network.
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