New Orleans Pelicans vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Picks, Odds, Prediction and Line Movement for Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Use Code WWWC We have Western Conference teams from the penthouse and the outhouse in this Pelicans vs. Thunder prediction. New Orleans (12-36) is sitting in last place in the Western Conference, while OKC (37-10) is in first place by 5.5 games over the Spurs and Nuggets. These teams met twice in November, with the Thunder winning both games, but only covering one. Check out more free NBA picks and College Basketball predictions on Winners and Whiners.
Pels on a roll
Nobody is denying that New Orleans has talent and can be a dangerous team to play when they are focused. They came into their game with the Spurs on Sunday with 11 wins and had lost three of their last four games. The Pels were up by as many as 20 points against San Antonio in the third quarrter and then the Spurs went on a 24-5 run to open the fourth quarter to lead by five with 5:09 left, but New Orleans closed the game on a 17-3 run to win their second straight game. That was their longest streak since they won five straight from Dec. 11-22.
Zion Williamson (24 pt, 10 rebs) and Saddiq Bey (24 pt, 10 rebs) both had big games against the Spurs. Both are still playing for the Pelicans, but one or both could be moved next week before the Feb. 5 trade deadline. Trey Murphy leads the Pels with 22.2 points per game and 6.0 rebounds, while Williamson adds 22 points and 6.0 rebounds. The addition of Herb Jones back in the lineup after missing two weeks due to an ankle injury seems to have paid dividends, especially on the defensive end in the last two games.
According to DunksandThrees.com, the Pels rank 25th in Adjusted Net Rating, 25th in Adjusted Offense and 27th in Adjusted Defense.
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Thunder suffer rare losing streak
It was bound to happen. The injuries have caught up with OKC after a shocking home loss to Indiana 117-114 on Jan. 23 and a loss to Toronto 103-101 on Sunday. Both games were at home, and the Thunder were double-digit favorites. Oklahoma City was playing without All-Star guard Jalen Williams (hamstring), guard Alex Caruso (thigh), guard Ajay Mitchell (hip), and center Isaiah Hartenstein (calf).
Carusao is out for this game, guard Cason Wallace (hip) is questionable. Williams, Hartenstein, and Mitchell are all out. Fortunately, the Thunder still have MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.1 ppg, 6.2 apg) and Chet Holmgren (17.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg). But losing Mitchell (14.1 ppg) and Jalen Williams (16.8 ppg, 5.6 apg) is really testing their depth.
According to DunksandThrees.com, the Thunder are ranked first in Adjusted Net Rating, fifth in Adjusted Offense and first in Adjusted Defense.
Spread Picks and Prediction for Pels vs. Thunder
Pelicans vs. OKC Thunder Odds and Picks
- New Orleans +14.5 (5 units)
The return of Herb Jones and that new starting lineup have given this Pelicans' lineup a much-needed boost, especially on the defensive end. The injuries are finally catching up with a great Oklahoma City team. They've lost three of their last five games and have covered just four of their last 12 games. Players like Caruso and Hartenstein are role players who helped them with the title. Even if they don't put up 20 points per game, their defense and toughness are missed. New Orleans may not be the same team after next week or if they win this game, they could decide to roll with it the rest of the season. Either way, they cover this game.
- Over 234.5 (4 units)
Without those key players in Caruso, Williams, and Hartenstein, the Thunder are weaker on the defensive end. The Thunder have gone over in four of their last five games. New Orleans is 10th in Adjusted Tempo, while OKC is 13th, so both teams want to run when it's available. On the road, New Orleans is allowing 120.8 points per game to rank 26th in the NBA.
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