Thunder vs Pelicans Picks and Prediction – 4/13/2025

Oklahoma City heads to New Orleans riding a three-game win streak, sitting at 67-14 and leading the Western Conference. In the last outing, the Thunder crushed the Jazz 145-111 on the road. New Orleans, on the other hand, has dropped six straight and sits near the bottom of the West with a 21-60 record. The Pelicans were blown out 153-104 by Miami in the most recent game. Score big in the NBA with our insider NBA picks.

The Thunder have been rolling through the season and closed strong with three wins in a row. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to lead this team with 32.7 points per game on 51.9% shooting from the field and nearly 90% from the line. Even with Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and SGA all listed as game-time decisions, the Thunder have shown they can dominate when needed, including a 136-120 win over the Lakers last week.

Defensively, Oklahoma City is just as tough. They’re holding opponents to 113.2 points per game while scoring 120.6 on the other end. The Thunder’s 10.4 steals per game lead the league and show how aggressive they are in the passing lanes. The Thunder shoot 48.2% from the floor, grab 44.7 boards per game, and have a strong mix of youth and athleticism to switch on defense.

New Orleans is limping to the finish line, losing eight of the last ten, including two 40+ point blowouts in the past week. With Brandon Boston, Bruce Brown, Yves Missi, Kelly Olynyk, and Karlo Matkovic all questionable, depth continues to be a major concern.

Defensively, the Pelicans allow 120.8 points per game and struggle to slow anyone down. They're allowing more points than they score and only force 8.6 steals per game. The 45.3% shooting clip and 25.9 assists per game are respectable, but the energy just hasn’t been there. With a 14-26 home record and nothing left to play for, New Orleans might just be ready for the offseason.

Oklahoma City is rolling right now and has been elite on both sides of the ball. The Thunder average over 120 points and are winning big while leading the NBA in steals. New Orleans is on a six-game skid, giving up massive point totals, and may be without several players. Even if SGA sits, the Thunder have enough firepower and defensive pressure to handle business. Final Score Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder wins 129-107.