Posted:
#1
66-46 YTD
Thunder -6.5
The Pelicans visit OKC tonight on the second game of a back to back and OKC looks for the season sweep. The Thunder won all three games by an average of about 11 points and in my opinion, were a better team then, than they are now.
The Thunder are coming off a 17 point whooping of the Lakers two nights ago but easily could have been a 30 point game.
I was highly against the Pelicans back when they played Houston and it was mainly because of their lack of depth. They just don't have anybody, plain and simple. Combine that with the lack of chemistry, it just doesn't equal winning basketball.
The Thunder made some great acquisitions in picking up Gibson and McDermott. I think they were very wise pick ups in positions they can use depth in. They match up perfectly with New Orleans. I don't think any other team in the league have the size that the Thunder do as well as the physicality that guys like Gibson, Roberson, and Adams bring. Those are guys who can easily frustrate a player like Boogie.
One of the advantages that the Thunder have in having a player like Westbrook was really showcased during the Thunder playoff series versus the Warriors. Nobody in the league other than maybe Lebron, can match Westbrooks stamina. If you're an offensive guard, your offense will suffer if you are forced to guard Westbrook, and Curry's offense did. With Jrue being a score first point guard, I don't expect him to be a huge factor tonight from a scoring standpoint which basically throws everything again, on Davis and Boogie.
When you factor in guys like Abrenis stepping up, who benefited greatly from the Oladipo injury as well as the defensive pressure Roberson brings, the Thunder I think, have a legitimate chance at going 19-6 in the remaining 25 games and clinching that four seed but they have to win games against the teams they should win against, and the Pelicans are definitely one of those teams. OKC is 13-3 at home against teams below .500. They get the job done when they should.
I think the Thunder are too deep and the Pelicans don't have enough balance to hang around for an entire game against a team who also like Houston does, who pushes the pace.
Thunder by 15.
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