New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction: Rejuvenated Pels takes on Shai-led Thunder

The NBA Postseason is on and we have hit the Play-in stage where teams engage in short series to figure out their destiny. A loss can end the season for the teams that are ranked ninth and tenth, while a win also doesn’t guarantee a Playoffs spot. The winner of this game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Oklahoma City Thunder will have to then beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in the battle for the eighth seed. Who will get there as the Pels take on the Thunder.

The Pels won 42 and lost 40 during the Regular Season and ended the season on a high note after struggling for most parts. The season can be divided in three parts; the first part belonged to the Pels where the team won 23 and lost 12 matches. In the second part, the Pels were absolutely terrible, they lost 25 of their 35 games and this happened because their leading player Zion Williamson got injured. But in the last stages, they won nine of their 12 games, led by Brandon Ingram both in terms of scoring and playmaking. Defensively, the Pels elevated their game too and they could have easily worked their way into top-four had Zion been active. They have a big task ahead and Jonas Valanciunas, CJ McCollum, and Trey Murphy III will play a vital role ahead.

The Thunder comes into the Play-in after having won 40 and losing 42 games. They had a rather wonderful season considering how their line-up is full of rookies, sophomores, and inexperienced players. Shai Gigeous-Alexander has scored over 30 points a game this season and he has been leading the charge once again. He has received immense support from Josh Giddey, who has bettered his scoring while being a strong playmaker and rebounder at the same time. Rookie Jalen Williams kept improving all season long and averaged over 14 points and without him, the Thunder would not have made it thus far. Luguentz Dort had a decent season, recovering his shooting a bit but overall, the Thunder have shown their youth time and time again. However, their season has been successful whether they advance ahead or not.

• Pelicans: OUT: Jose Alvarado, Zion Williamson. QUESTIONBLE: Larry Nance Jr;
• Thunder: OUT: Aleksej Pokusevski, Kenrich Williams, Chet Holmgren.

• Expected Leading Scorers: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander(30+ Points), Brandon Ingram(30+ Points);
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Jonas Valanciunas (14-18 Rebounds), Josh Giddey(8-11 Rebounds);
• Expected Leading Playmakers: Josh Giddey(7-9 Assists), Brandon Ingram(7-9 Assists).

The Pelicans have been doing a great job at home and they have been delivering some great performances under the leadership of Brandon Ingram. The Thunder is driven by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who has been making things hellish for oppositions. It will be interesting to see what response Pels draw here. I back the Pels to nab a big win and Ingram to erupt here in this must-win affair and predict a 119:111 scoreline