Pelicans Bounce Back, Smoke Jazz

Willie Green’s Pelicans put together an excellent season through the first half of the campaign. The Western Conference is tough, but New Orleans is an interesting option at +6000 to win the NBA title, especially since the team is pretty healthy. However, the Pelicans have been playing pedestrian hoops lately, going just 5-4 in their last nine games. They lost to Phoenix (123-109) last Friday, but bounced back by taking care of Utah (153-124) on Tuesday. From a sports betting perspective, New Orleans comes into this contest at 25-18-1 ATS and they’ve split their totals 22-22 to the over and under.

It was pure domination last time out against the visiting Jazz, and the Pelicans were able to cover as a 6.5-point home favorite. Aside from losing the turnover battle (9 to 8), New Orleans excelled in every other category, including field goal percentage (57.7% to 46.7%), three-point shooting (50.0% to 33.3%), and rebounding (57 to 38).

As for individual efforts, Zion Williamson has paved the way in terms of scoring, averaging 21.9 points per game. Jonas Valanciunas is looking great down low, adding 14.0 points per night while posting team high marks in both rebounding (9.6 RPG) and blocks (1.1 BPG).

Thunder Secure Fourth Straight Win

We’re officially into the second half of the NBA season and this youthful Thunder team continues to impress. However, the futures market still isn’t reflecting their success. Oklahoma City is currently priced at +1800 to win the title, giving them the seventh-shortest odds in the Association. Mark Daigneault’s squad has won its last four games, taking care of business against the Jazz (134-129), Timberwolves (102-97), Trail Blazers (111-109), and Spurs (140-114), most recently. As for their game-level betting numbers, the Thunder enter this game at 29-14-1 ATS and they’ve seen the over cash at a rate of 25-18-1.

Oklahoma City smashed San Antonio last time out, covering the spread as an 8.5-point road favorite. Statistically, the Thunder dominated every major statistical category, including field goal percentage (56.3% to 50.0%), three-point shooting (45.0% to 28.1%), turnovers (16 to 19), and rebounding (47 to 38).

Individually, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has paved the way in the backcourt, leading the team in scoring (31.1 PPG), assists (6.4 APG), and steals (2.3 SPG). The point guard is +400 to win MVP, where he trails only Joel Embiid (+120) and Nikola Jokic (+250). Chet Holmgren has been excellent down low, adding 17.1 points per game while posting team high marks in both rebounding (7.3 RPG) and blocks (2.6 BPG). He sits at +120 to win Rookie of the Year, trailing only Victor Wembanyama (-150).