Thunder Gameday: Back Home Against Pelicans Following Road Trip

After a tough three-game West Coast trip, Oklahoma City will host New Orleans at Paycom Center.

For the first time since the early part of the 2022-23 campaign, the Oklahoma City Thunder will have a chance to reach .500 tonight. It won't be easy, as they'll take on a talented New Orleans Pelicans team.

This will be one of two games this week before several members of the OKC roster head to Salt Lake City for NBA All-Star weekend. Will the team be able to finish the first part of the season on a hot streak?

The Thunder have won two-straight games, which is surprisingly the longest streak in the Western Conference at the moment. 

Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 2-point favorites against the Pelicans, and the total over/under is 235.5 points.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

New Orleans is still without Zion Williamson, who recently suffered a setback in his rehabilitation and will be sidelined for at least a few more weeks. Even then, the Pelicans have the talent to be one of the best teams in the Western Conference. 

Despite facing injuries all season, this has been a team that's been as competitive as anyone could have hoped. With that in mind, the Thunder are the favorites on their home floor tonight. 

New Orleans does the little things, which is why the roster has been so successful to this point. The Pelicans are top ten in both rebounds and assists this season across the league.

Oklahoma City is also well balanced, with a top 15 offense and defense to this point in the season. Although the Thunder have the youngest roster in the league, they're still exceeding expectations. 

With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the helm, the Thunder can win on any given night. 

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (27-28) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (29-28)

WHEN:

Monday, Feb. 13, 2023 at 7:00 PM CT

LOCATION:

Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, OK

TV/RADIO:

Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

FINAL WORD:

Following this contest, the Thunder will host the Houston Rockets on Thursday in their final game before the break. Meanwhile, the Pelicans head to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers.

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