Thunder Gameday: Biggest Game of Season in New Orleans

It’s the biggest game of the season for both the Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans. These two teams will face off tonight in the play-in, as one squad will advance and the other’s season will come to an end.

While the Thunder are the surprise postseason team, New Orleans was expected to be playing beyond the regular season, even despite the injuries the roster has faced. Regardless, this is expected to be a highly competitive matchup.

Which star will be the best player on the floor tonight, Brandon Ingram or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 5.5-point underdogs to the Pelicans, and the total over/under is 232 points.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

These teams played four times this season, with the Pelicans winning three of those. However, each of those three losses for the Thunder were by four points or less.

This is why this game is expected to be close, as the two teams match up extremely well.

Zion Williamson is still out of the lineup, which is why the Pelicans have fallen in the standings over the past few months. Even then, they have two legitimate stars in Brandon Ingram and McCollum. Those two will be the primary facilitators offensively for New Orleans, but Trey Murphy and Jonas Valanciunas also have the upside to be complimentary scorers.

The Pelicans rely on defense to win games, so Oklahoma City’s ability to get the offense going will be huge in this contest. If the Thunder can bust the New Orleans defense, the Pelicans may lack the firepower to win a shootout.

OKC will be led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished the season as a top five scorer in the NBA. This will be another opportunity for him to prove he’s one of the best guards in the entire league. He’ll need help on both ends in this one, with Josh Giddey, Lu Dort and Jalen Williams being the primary pieces that will produce for the Thunder.

Don’t be surprised if this ends up being a game that comes down to the wire.

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (40-42) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (42-40)

WHEN:

Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 8:30 PM CT

LOCATION:

Smoothie King Center - New Orleans, LA

TV/RADIO:

ESPN, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

FINAL WORD:

The loser of this contest will officially hit the offseason as this is an elimination game. The winner will advance to play on the road Friday for a chance to earn the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference playoffs.

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