Thunder Favored Over Pelicans in NBA Playoffs Game 1

The Oklahoma City Thunder, who are 8-point favorites, will face the New Orleans Pelicans in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs opening round on Sunday, April 21 at 9:30 PM ET. The game has an over/under of 214.5 points and will be aired on TNT and BSOK.

The Thunder enter the series as the favorites, with an implied probability of 66.7% to beat the Pelicans according to numberFire's predictions. Oklahoma City has a strong defense, ranking second in the NBA in points allowed per game, and has conceded just 0.963 points per possession. The emergence of Jalen Brunson as a prime scoring threat in the backcourt has also bolstered the Thunder's offense.

Despite the Pelicans' recent success in the NBA Play-In Tournament, the Thunder's defensive prowess and well-rounded roster make them the favored team in this first-round matchup. The Pelicans will be without star player Zion Williamson, who is out due to a hamstring injury.

Why this matters: The outcome of this series could have significant implications for both teams' futures. A strong showing by the Thunder would validate their status as a top contender in the Western Conference, while an upset by the Pelicans could signal a shift in the balance of power.

In their previous matchups this season, the Thunder won both games, but the Pelicans won their last meeting in November 2023. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder, averaging 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. Brandon Ingram has stepped up in Williamson's absence for the Pelicans, averaging 20.8 points and 5.7 assists per game.

The Thunder had a 2-1 record against the Pelicans in the regular season, with the lone loss being a blown 20-point lead. Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr. expressed respect for the Thunder but said he is betting on his team. "We know how good OKC is," Nance said. "But I'm betting on us."

Key Takeaways

• Thunder are 8-point favorites over Pelicans in Game 1 of NBA Playoffs opening round.
• Thunder have 66.7% implied probability to beat Pelicans, per numberFire's predictions.
• Pelicans will be without star player Zion Williamson due to a hamstring injury.
• Thunder won 2 of 3 regular-season matchups, but Pelicans won their last meeting.
• Outcome of series could have significant implications for both teams' futures.