New Orleans Pelicans (49-33, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (57-25, first in the Western Conference)
Oklahoma City; Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. CDT
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Thunder -7.5; over/under is 211
WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Thunder lead series 1-0
BOTTOM LINE: The Oklahoma City Thunder host the New Orleans Pelicans in the Western Conference first round with a 1-0lead in the series. The Thunder won the last meeting 94-92 on April 22 led by 28 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, while Trey Murphy III scored 21 points for the Pelicans.
The Thunder have gone 36-16 against Western Conference teams. Oklahoma City is fourth in the Western Conference with 52.5 points per game in the paint led by Gilgeous-Alexander averaging 14.2.
The Pelicans are 30-22 in Western Conference play. New Orleans is sixth in the Western Conference scoring 51.3 points per game in the paint led by Zion Williamson averaging 17.6.
The Thunder’s 13.3 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.2 fewer made shots on average than the 13.5 per