3rd quarter report
The Thunder are on the road but don’t seem any worse for wear. They are in full control with a 99-80 lead over the Pelicans.
The Thunder already have seven resounding victories this season, but why stop there? Barring a freak comeback, they will be celebrating another huge victory in the locker room very soon.
Who’s playing
Oklahoma City Thunder @ New Orleans Pelicans
Current records: Oklahoma City 17-5, New Orleans 5-18
How to watch
- When: Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 7 p.m. ET
- Or: Smoothie King Center – New Orleans, Louisiana
- TV: Fan Duel SN – Oklahoma
- Follow: CBS Sports app
- Online broadcast: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Ticket cost: $3.21
What you need to know
The Pelicans will be in front of their home fans on Saturday, but a look at the spread shows they might need that home-court advantage. They will host the Oklahoma City Thunder at 7 p.m. ET at the Smoothie King Center. Both come into the match strengthened by their victories in their previous matches.
The Pelicans just scored the most points they have all season. They bypassed the Suns 126-124. The win was a breath of fresh air for New Orleans as it ended its nine-game losing streak.
The Pelicans’ success was led by the efforts of Brandon Ingram, who had 29 points along with seven rebounds and two steals, and CJ McCollum, who had 25 points along with six assists and two steals. This is the most assists McCollum has posted since April.
Meanwhile, you’re bound to get a positive result if you outscore your opponent in every quarter, and that’s exactly how it played out for the Thunder on Thursday. Given this consistent dominance, it’s no surprise that they blew the Raptors out of the water with a final score of 129-92. Oklahoma City has made a habit of putting opponents off the field, having won seven games by 19 points or more this season.
It was another big night for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 30 points to go along with five assists and two steals. It was his 12th straight game with at least 30 points. Luguentz Dort’s dreadful 0-6 three-point shooting was less helpful for the Thunder.
New Orleans’ victory ended a three-game home drought and moved them to 5-18. As for Oklahoma City, they have been on a roll lately: they have won six of their last seven meetings, which has given a nice improvement to their record of 17-5 this season.
Both have pleased fans and bettors in their last matches by winning and covering the gap. Looking ahead, the Thunder are the favorites in this one, as experts expect to see them win by 8.5 points. This contest will be their 15th in a row as favorites (so far in that stretch, they are 7-7 ATS).
The Pelicans fell far behind the Thunder in their previous meeting in November, losing 106-88. Will the Pelicans have better luck at home than on the road?
Odds
Oklahoma City is a big favorite with 8.5 points against New Orleans, according to the latest NBA Odds.
Oddsmakers had a good idea of the line for this one, as the game opened with the Thunder as a 7.5-point favorite.
The over/under is 224.5 points.
See NBA Pick for every game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get Picks Now.
History of the series
Oklahoma City has won 9 of its last 10 games against New Orleans.
- November 13, 2024 – Oklahoma City 106 vs. New Orleans 88
- April 29, 2024 – Oklahoma City 97 vs. New Orleans 89
- April 27, 2024 – Oklahoma City 106 vs. New Orleans 85
- April 24, 2024 – Oklahoma City 124 vs. New Orleans 92
- April 21, 2024 – Oklahoma City 94 vs. New Orleans 92
- March 26, 2024 – Oklahoma City 119 vs. New Orleans 112
- January 26, 2024 – Oklahoma City 107 vs. New Orleans 83
- November 1, 2023 – New Orleans 110 vs. Oklahoma City 106
- April 12, 2023 – Oklahoma City 123 vs. New Orleans 118
- March 11, 2023 – Oklahoma City 110 vs. New Orleans 96
