Thunder vs Pelicans predictions
As the Oklahoma City Thunder roll into town to face the New Orleans Pelicans, all eyes will be on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City's dynamo in the backcourt. Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been nothing short of phenomenal this season, is anticipated to keep up his impressive performance. Projecting his game, I'd say he's likely to light up the scoreboard with around 29 points and dish out over 6 assists, showing off his savvy playmaking skills. Another player to watch is Jalen Williams, whose versatility on both ends of the floor should see him grabbing approximately 7 rebounds, contributing significantly across the board.
On the flip side, the New Orleans Pelicans are looking for a strong showing from Brandon Ingram. Ingram, a high-flying forward known for his scoring prowess, is projected to contribute heavily, likely scoring more than 20 points and hovering around 5 assists as he tries to steer his team to a much-needed win. Another key player, Trey Murphy, is expected to inject some energy and add around 17 points, which could be crucial if the Pelicans want to upset the Thunder. They'll need every point they can get from him to spark their offense.
Considering the current momentum and overall season performance, the Oklahoma City Thunder seem to hold a distinct advantage. They've been on a roll, showing a strong ability to seal games on the road and maintain composure under pressure. That, combined with the Pelicans' struggle to find consistency, leads me to lean towards an Oklahoma City victory in this matchup. It likely won't be a cakewalk, but the Thunder have the edge to pull through in the crucial moments.
