Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans are set to clash on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans to close out the regular season. Oklahoma City (67-14) boasts the best record in the Western Conference, while New Orleans (21-60) has struggled near the bottom of the standings. This matchup offers critical insights into contrasting team trajectories and player performance.
Season Overview and Recent Form
The Thunder enter the game riding high as the league’s most dominant team, securing nine wins in their last ten outings and clinching home-court advantage for the postseason. Averaging 120.6 points per game, they consistently outpace opponents by combining elite scoring with league-best defensive efficiency. Oklahoma City has been relentless on both ends, leading in steals per game (10.4) and grabbing over 10 offensive rebounds per matchup, reflecting their ability to maintain possession and generate second-chance points.
In contrast, the Pelicans come into the game fresh off a 153-104 defeat to Miami, marking a tough stretch in which they’ve dropped six of their last nine contests. New Orleans has allowed opponents to score over 135 points per game in recent matchups, underscoring their defensive struggles. With limited momentum and a rough season overall, their challenge against Oklahoma City’s firepower is steep.
Key Matchup Statistics
Oklahoma City holds a significant historical edge over New Orleans, winning 50 of their 85 all-time meetings. This season, the Thunder have dominated the Pelicans, winning all three prior matchups by an average margin of 19.0 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been pivotal for OKC, consistently delivering high-impact performances against New Orleans, including a stellar 31-point effort in their February meeting.
The Pelicans, while outmatched in season record and recent head-to-head results, will look to guard CJ McCollum and forward Brandon Ingram for leadership. McCollum has averaged 21.3 points against Oklahoma City this season, while Ingram has been a steady offensive contributor in recent weeks. Strong showings from these stars are essential if the Pelicans are to stay competitive.
Betting Trends
The Thunder are highly consistent against the spread (ATS), with a strong 53-26-3 record this season. They’ve excelled in road games, winning nine of their last ten away contests. Meanwhile, the Pelicans are just 12-28 ATS at home and have struggled overall to cover spreads this year. Total points trends point to a high-scoring affair, as both squads have played “over” in recent games due to Oklahoma City’s fast pace and New Orleans’ porous defense.
Prediction for the Game
Expect Oklahoma City’s depth and efficiency to shine in this matchup. Led by Gilgeous-Alexander and supported by a deep rotation, the Thunder have the tools to exploit New Orleans’ defensive lapses and maintain control of the game. On the other hand, the Pelicans may find some offensive rhythm but will struggle to slow down the Thunder’s high-powered offense, particularly given their struggles in transition defense.
For bettors, Oklahoma City is a strong candidate to cover any reasonable spread. However, with both teams leaning toward high offensive outputs and vulnerable defenses, the over on the total points is also worth considering.
If you’re looking for expert insights and more actionable picks, this is your chance to get informed and act—don’t miss Oklahoma City’s impressive push toward postseason dominance!
