New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder (109:126): NBA 18/11/2025

November 18, 2025

Status: Finished

109-126

NBA

New Orleans Pelicans

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder head to New Orleans for a Western Conference clash against the struggling Pelicans in what promises to be a one-sided affair on November 18, 2025.

This NBA regular season game tips off at 01:00 GMT+0 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. No official referee crew has been announced yet for this mid-week matchup, but the focus remains on OKC’s quest to maintain their elite form against a Pelicans team decimated by injuries during the early part of the 2025-26 campaign. New Orleans sits at the bottom of the Southwest Division, desperately needing a turnaround in this regular season encounter.

BETTING TIPS AND MATCH INSIGHTS

The Thunder enter as heavy road favorites in this New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder prediction today, backed by their dominant defense and balanced attack. Oklahoma City has won 11 straight head-to-head meetings dating back years, including a 137-106 blowout just weeks ago. The Pelicans’ offense ranks dead last in the league, while OKC boasts the NBA’s top defensive rating. Expect the Thunder to control pace and exploit mismatches. Value lies in OKC covering a large spread given New Orleans’ ongoing injury crisis and poor form.

New Orleans Pelicans Results

The Pelicans have endured a nightmare start to the season, dropping nine of their first eleven games while struggling massively on both ends.

They continue to miss key contributors and lack any consistent rhythm. Home court has provided little advantage so far.

New Orleans has lost four straight entering this contest, with their defense hemorrhaging points at an alarming rate. They rank bottom-five in opponent field goal percentage allowed. The lone recent win came in a low-scoring affair against Dallas, but they’ve since been blown out multiple times. Turnovers remain a massive issue, averaging over 18 per game in losses. Home performances show no significant improvement, as they continue giving up 120+ points routinely.

Oklahoma City Thunder Results

Oklahoma City remains one of the league’s elite teams, riding high with a near-perfect record and the NBA’s best net rating.

Their depth and defensive versatility have overwhelmed opponents all season.

The Thunder have won twelve of their first thirteen games, including five straight blowouts by double digits. They lead the league in defensive efficiency and steals while ranking top-five in offensive rating. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues his MVP-caliber play, and their bench depth shines nightly. Road form mirrors home dominance, with OKC covering spreads consistently against inferior competition. Pace control and transition scoring remain their biggest edge.

Who will win Tuesday’s NBA clash between New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder?

New Orleans Pelicans > Draw > Oklahoma City Thunder >

New Orleans Pelicans

19%

Draw

0%

Oklahoma City Thunder

81%

Head-to-Head Matches: New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City has utterly dominated this rivalry in recent years, winning every encounter by significant margins.

OKC has won the last eleven regular-season meetings overall, with eight of those victories coming by 15+ points. The average margin in the past five is over 25 points. New Orleans has failed to reach 110 points in four of these games while allowing 120+ three times. The Thunder’s defensive pressure completely disrupts the Pelicans’ already struggling offense.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Predicted Starting Lineups

Below are the expected starting fives for the November 18, 2025 NBA regular-season game at Smoothie King Center. Lineups are projected based on the latest practice reports, rotation patterns, and injury situations as of November 17 evening. Coaches can still make last-minute adjustments.

Key Points to Watch

Several critical factors will determine the outcome of this mismatch between a title contender and a rebuilding squad.

The injury situations and recent trends heavily favor one side.

• New Orleans remains without star forward Zion Williamson (hamstring strain – out indefinitely) and key guard Dejounte Murray (Achilles tear – season-ending);
• Trey Murphy III and Jordan Poole carry questionable tags with knee/quad issues, further thinning an already depleted rotation;
• The Pelicans rank dead last in offensive rating and 28th in defensive rating through 11 games;
• OKC boasts the NBA’s No. 1 defense, allowing just 107 points per 100 possessions;
• Thunder are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 road games against sub-.500 teams;
• New Orleans is 2-9 ATS this season and 1-8 ATS in their last nine home games;
• OKC has covered in 10 straight head-to-head meetings with the Pelicans;
• Thunder force 16+ turnovers per game while committing the fewest in the league.

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Free Tips on New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Betting on this NBA matchup requires focusing on data-driven edges rather than hunches. The tips below draw directly from recent statistics, head-to-head trends, and situational factors unique to these teams. Apply them to spot value in spreads, totals, or player props.

• Exploit Head-to-Head Dominance: OKC has won the last 11 regular-season meetings by an average of 19.2 points; in the past five encounters, New Orleans scored under 105 points four times favor Thunder run-line bets when the spread is under 15.
• Fade Pelicans on Zero-Rest B2B: New Orleans plays this on the second night of a back-to-back after facing Denver; since 2023, they are 3-12 SU and 4-11 ATS in such spots, allowing 8.4 more points per 100 possessions.
• Target Thunder Transition Scoring: OKC ranks 1st in fast-break points (22.1 per game) while the Pelicans sit 29th in transition defense; with New Orleans turning it over 18.3 times lately, back OKC team total over or first-quarter lead props.
• Monitor Shai Gilgeous-Alexander PRA Lines: SGA averages 34.2 points + 6.8 assists + 5.1 rebounds vs. NOP over the last four meetings; when the Pelicans miss two or more perimeter creators, his PRA line clears 45+ in 75% of cases.
• Play the Under on Congested Schedules: Both teams have played three games in five nights; in similar fatigue spots this season, OKC totals sit 4-1 to the under by an average of 11.7 points consider under 220 if the line climbs.

New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder Match Prediction 2025

The Thunder enter as massive favorites for good reason in this New Orleans Pelicans vs Oklahoma City Thunder odds discussion. Oklahoma City owns every statistical advantage – elite defense, efficient offense, depth, and recent dominance in this matchup. The Pelicans simply cannot score enough without their top creators, and their defense collapses nightly against quality opponents. OKC’s pace control and transition attack will exploit New Orleans’ turnovers and poor transition D. Even on the road, the Thunder project a 68% win probability per advanced models, with a comfortable double-digit victory expected. Back Oklahoma City to cover easily as they continue their march toward the top seed in the West.

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