The second game of the Western Conference NBA Play-In Tournament features the Oklahoma City Thunder heading on the road to face off against the New Orleans Pelicans. This is a matchup of two teams with varying emotions about being in this game.
No one expected the Thunder to be here, as they are a bit ahead of their timeline. Younger than some starting lineups in college, they are playing with house money. The Pelicans, on the other hand, are left asking themselves what if?
New Orleans was near the top of the Western Conference before injuries started stacking up. They were lucky to hold onto a playoff spot as other teams, such as Portland Trail Blazers, opted to tank for draft pick positioning at the end of the season. The biggest loss was to Zion Williamson, who is now dealing with more than just physical injuries as the mental part of it is taxing.
The Pelicans won the season series over the Thunder, going 3-1. What can we expect to see in the game on Wednesday night? Here is all the information you will need to watch with some analysis and predictions as well.
Date: April 12th, 2023
Time: 9:30 PM ET
Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
TV Channel: ESPN
Radio: ESPNR, WRNO/KGLA FM, WWLS
Injury Report For Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report: Jared Butler – Out – G League Two-Way, Chet Holmgren – Out – Right Foot Surgery, Aleksej Pokusevski – Out – Left Knee Contusion, Olivier Sarr – Out – G League Two-Way, Kenrich Williams – Out – Left Wrist Scapholunate Ligament Surgery
New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report: Jose Alvarado – Out – Right Tibial Stress Reaction, E.J. Liddell – Out – Right Knee ACL Recovery, Larry Nance Jr. – Questionable – Left Ankle Soreness, Zion Williamson – Out – Right Hamstring Strain
Expected Starting Lineups For Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Oklahoma City Thunder Expected Starting Lineup: G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G Josh Giddey, F Lu Dort, F Jalen Williams, C Jaylin Williams
New Orleans Pelicans Expected Starting Lineup: G CJ McCollum, G Trey Murphy, F Brandon Ingram, F Herb Jones, C Jonas Valanciunas
Betting Odds For Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Thunder vs. Pelicans Spread: Pelicans -5.5
Thunder vs. Pelicans Over/Under Total: 227 Total Points
Thunder vs. Pelicans Moneylines: Thunder: +185, Pelicans: -215
All eyes will be on Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in this game. He is the team’s best player and made his first All-Star team. This could very well be the first time many casual fans see him and the Thunder play. He is a bonafide star and who the Pelicans will be focusing a large part of their attention.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS COVERAGE: Oklahoma City Thunder & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
We saw just how good the Pelicans could be with Zion Williamson on the court, but he has some hurdles to overcome before returning. But, New Orleans has plenty of firepower to rely on in his absence with CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram leading the offense.
Oklahoma City will be relying on Lu Dort to neutralize one of those two high-scoring players, but New Orleans does have a strong supporting cast. While a star such as SGA can flip the script for one game, this game is prime for the taking for the Pelicans.
NBA NEWS & PLAYOFFS COVERAGE: Oklahoma City Thunder & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
They have experience on their side, playing through the Play-In Tournament last season as the No. 9 seed to make the playoffs. That will help them immensely tonight, as they are battle tested and know what it takes. This will be a competitive game, but the depth, defensive versatility and experience the Pelicans possess will eventually win out.
Want the latest in NBA playoffs analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here.
