The Oklahoma City Thunder aren’t showing any signs of a championship hangover — they’ve picked up right where they left off.
OKC will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday afternoon, aiming to match their 7-0 start from last season that sparked their run to an NBA title. The Pelicans, meanwhile, are trending in the exact opposite direction — still searching for their first win after a heartbreaking loss to the Clippers dropped them to a brutal 0-5.
Tipoff at Paycom Center is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Oklahoma City enters as a staggering 11.5-point favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, with New Orleans priced at +455. The total is set at 229.5 points.
Pelicans vs. Thunder Preview
Even with Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren on the sidelines, the defending champs have kept the parade rolling. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has continued to lead the charge, averaging 34.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game on 52.1% shooting from the field.
While the Thunder have struggled from beyond the arc — posting a league-worst 29.6% from three — they’re slowly finding their rhythm as the roster gets healthier. Sharpshooter Isaiah Joe made his season debut in the team’s latest outing against the Washington Wizards, dropping 20 points and knocking down five threes in a 19-point win.
Despite their offensive woes, the Thunder have continued to lock down opponents on the other end. Oklahoma City currently boasts the NBA’s best defensive rating and ranks inside the top four in net rating.
For the Pelicans, it seems like everything that can go wrong has. On Friday night, New Orleans clawed its way back from a 17-point deficit against the Los Angeles Clippers — only for Kawhi Leonard to drill a game-winning jumper at the buzzer.
New Orleans has gotten solid contributions from Zion Williamson, Jordan Poole, and Trey Murphy III, but the team just hasn’t been able to put it all together. The Pelicans currently rank 28th in offensive rating, 29th in defensive rating, and dead last in net rating.
Pelicans vs. Thunder Pick, Best Bet
This matchup between Western Conference rivals has been lopsided in recent memory. The Thunder swept the four-game series against New Orleans last season, punctuating a ten-game winning streak. Considering the trajectories that both teams are on this season, it’s hard to see the trend changing on Sunday afternoon.
