The New Orleans Pelicans will face off with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second game of this first round Western Conference playoff series. These two teams are loaded with superstar players with plenty of potential and those players will look to put that on full display throughout the second game of this series. Oklahoma City comes into the second game of this series with a one to nothing lead after their victory at home earlier this week. New Orleans may be Zion Williamson for this game and longer throughout the rest of the series, but they will look to get the job done here in game number two and even up the series for heading back home for the following two games.
Despite the disparity and differences between their two seasons this year, both of these teams have plenty of talent to make a deep run in the postseason. Whoever comes out on top of this we have plenty of momentum and would potentially insert themselves further as the favorite to come out of the loaded Western Conference this season. Each and every game in this series will be up for debate, as the likes of CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram will not go quietly in the night against Oklahoma City and Shai Gilgeous Alexander. The opening game of this series was a low scoring game between both of these teams as they were held to less than 100 points. They will look too have yet another close and competitive match up here on Wednesday night and the second game of this seven game first round series.
Past Prediction All the previous predictions can be viewed by clicking this link right here . There will be predictions made each and every night for the NBA season, throughout the remainder of the regular season and into the postseason as well. You can check back here for predictions each and every night all the way up until the last game of the NBA finals.
History Between These Two Teams This will be the second meeting of the postseason between these two teams, and it was Oklahoma City that came out on top in the opening game of the series by a score of 94 to 92 at home. However, these two teams have several meetings throughout the regular season. As Oklahoma City and New Orleans met three times throughout the regular season with Oklahoma City winning two out of three.
Weirdly enough neither team picked up a victory on their home court as Oklahoma City picked up two victories in New Orleans and New Orleans picked up a victory on the road against Oklahoma City early in the season. In two out of the three games they were decided by less than 10 points with only one blowout coming in a game at New Orleans and Oklahoma City won by a wide margin.
Tuesday night should provide us with a fifth solid game between these two teams this season as both teams look for a crucial victory that could provide a massive turning point in this opening round postseason series. With how close and competitive their matchups were throughout the regular season and the opening game of this playoff series, that should show you that despite Oklahoma City being the one seed and New Orleans being the eight seed there is not much separating these two teams this season.
Today’s Predictions I expect this game here on Tuesday night to be another close and competitive matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New Orleans Pelicans. Both of these teams look to pick up a much-needed victory. In Oklahoma City’s case they will look to take a commanding two to nothing lead before heading on the road to New Orleans for game three and game four of this series. Meanwhile, New Orleans will bounce back from their game number one and even up the series before heading home for the following two games.
With Zion Williamson still doubtful to play in this game for New Orleans on Tuesday night. It gives the slight edge to Oklahoma City. As New Orleans will be without one of their star players throughout the contest. Which means guys like Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum, and the rest of the supporting cast will need to step up and put up solid performances throughout this game if New Orleans wants to come out victorious on the road. For Oklahoma City SGA will have to continue to lead the way for the Thunder throughout the second game of this series if they want to grab a second consecutive victory over New Orleans.
I could easily see going down to the wire but in the end, I look for Oklahoma City to get the job done against New Orleans for the second consecutive game in a row. I look for SGA to take over late in the game and pull Oklahoma City away from New Orleans throughout the late half of the fourth quarter to put this one on ice. I have another solid performance as he continue to prove that he is one of the most clutch players in the league.
Tips For Betting Oklahoma City is 33-8 at home this season, which was good for one of the best home records in the NBA. The Thunder have won 31 of their 36 games as a betting favorite when at home this season. Oklahoma City was the second best team in the league when picking up a second consecutive victory after a prior win winning 30 out of 47 occasions.
The Pick: OKC Thunder -7.5 (-110) Picks given are the opinion of the writer, not Elitepickz pros. To get picks from some of the sharpest minds in the industry, sign up here and use code AB15 for 15% off any pass!
