New Orleans; Friday at 8 p.m.
Oklahoma City Thunder (31-13, first in the Western Conference) will face the New Orleans Pelicans (26-18, sixth in the Western Conference).
EST BOTTOM LINE
Oklahoma City will look to extend their four-game winning streak when they face New Orleans.
The Pelicans are 18-16 in conference games. New Orleans ranked fourth in the Western Conference in team defense, allowing only 112.5 points and limiting opponents to 46.1% shooting.
The Thunder are 19-10 against Western Conference teams. Oklahoma City ranks last in the Western Conference with 41.1 rebounds per game, led by Chet Holmgren, who averages 7.3.
The Pelicans average 117.5 points per game, 3.9 higher than the Thunder, who allow up 113.6. The Thunder averaged 13.1 This season, they made 0.4 fewer 3-pointers per game than the Pelicans allowed.
The two teams meet for the second time this season. The Pelicans defeated the Thunder 110-106 in their most recent matchup on Nov. 1. CJ McCollum led the Pelicans in scoring with 29 points, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander topped the Thunder with 20.
TOP PERFORMERS
Brandon Ingram averages 21.7 points and 5.6 assists per game for the Pelicans. Over the last ten games, McCollum has averaged 18.3 points for New Orleans.
For the Thunder, Holmgren averages 17.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks. Over the last ten games, Oklahoma City’s Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 30.0 points.
LAST 10 GAMES
Pelicans: 6-4, averaging 123.1 points, 44.7 rebounds, 30.4 assists, 7.4 steals, and 4.7 blocks per game on 50.8% shooting. Their opponents have averaged 113.9 points Per game.
Thunder went 8-2, averaging 122.4 points, 42.7 rebounds, 30.6 assists, 8.6 steals, and 6.6 blocks per game while shooting 51.3% from the field. Their opponents have a scoring average of 111.4.
INJURIES
Pelicans: Matt Ryan: out (calf).
Thunder: Olivier Sarr: out (hip).
