Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA
New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Game 2: Western Conference Playoffs – First round
Game 1 of this series was dramatic until the last possession and we expect nothing less when the Oklahoma City Thunder host the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday at Paycom Center.
Can the Pelicans win without Zion Williamson?
The New Orleans Pelicans made it to the playoffs after defeating the Sacramento Kings in the do-or-die play-in game. During that process, they lost their leading scorer, Zion Williamson, with an injury and had to adapt going into the series against the Thunder. The Pelicans shot only 38.5% from the field but stayed in the game until the last minute. Trey Murphy III led the team with 21 points, one more than CJ McCollum. Jonas Valanciunas also had a solid game, with 13 points and 20 rebounds.
Are the Thunder for real this season?
The Oklahoma City Thunder shocked many by finishing on top of the Western Conference, becoming the youngest team ever to have the top seed in the West. However, the Thunder barely survived in Game 1 with a 94-92 win. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made a tough shot on the Thunder’s last possession to give his team the final lead. He finished with 28 points, followed by Jalen Williams with 19 and Chet Holmgren with 16.
Betting Trends
The Thudner are 13-6 ATS in the last 19 games against the Pelicans. Oklahoma City is 4-1 ATS in the last five games overall and 1-5 ATS in the last six games played on Wednesday. New Orleans is 4-2 ATS in the last six games overall, 1-4 ATS in the last five games played on Wednesday.
Prediction and Conclusion
The Thunder came into this series as a major favorite, which is expected as they are the top seed in the conference. However, the Pelicans had a chance to win even without their leading scorer, Zion Williamson. The pressure took its toll on the Thunder, who scored under 100 points for only the fourth time this season, and this was the first time they won in such a situation. Given the fact that the Thudner have a young roster, that was expected, but things will go way more smoothly in Game 2. OKC’s offensive potential is simply amazing, as they were among the top three teams in the league in every shooting statistical category. They will get back in their rhythm tonight and win Game 2 by covering the -7.5-point spread.
