NBAFinished
Predictions graded| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 34 | 33 | 26 | 17 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 28 | 24 | 38 | 26 |
Pre-match view
New Orleans has the stronger case because Oklahoma City is expected to sit much of its rotation while the Pelicans expect a broad group, though limited preseason minutes for New Orleans regulars keep that edge softer than it first appears.
Oklahoma City is expected to sit Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and other regulars, handing extended preseason run to a young group, while New Orleans expects Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III and a returning Dejounte Murray to feature under new coach Jamahl Mosley. That availability gap is the central sporting storyline, softened only by the likelihood of limited preseason minutes on both sides.
NBA rules: full-game winner, handicap and totals include overtime. The 48-minute result, halves and quarters exclude it.
Experimental forecasts: accuracy has not yet been validated against historical results.
Compare BetBugs' chances with the market's.
New Orleans PelicansMarket 50.5% · BetBugs 62%
New Orleans expects everyone to play, including Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III, and Dejounte Murray has resumed scrimmaging. Oklahoma City is missing eight players, including its primary creators and defenders, creating a clear availability advantage for the Pelicans even on the road.
New Orleans Pelicans +1.5Market 53.5% · BetBugs 68%
Away +1.5 covers New Orleans wins, ties (not possible after OT) or a one-point loss. The Pelicans' availability advantage makes it likely they either win or keep the final margin to a single point.
Market 52.4% · BetBugs 55%
A total of 222.5 is closer to a typical preseason combined score. New Orleans has the available scoring talent to exceed this line, but Oklahoma City's absences may cap the overall output, making the over slightly favored.
How likely BetBugs thought each outcome was.
Selected line
222.5
Bookmakers' main total
BetBugs · Over
55%
Chance of 223+ points
+3 pp above break-even
Over 1.91 needs 52% to break even. BetBugs sees 55%.
Tap a price to compare bookmakers. White mark = break-even chance; pp = percentage points. Half-point totals cannot tie.
Standings for 2026–27 are unavailable from the provider.
vs Phoenix Suns103–135 REG
at Denver Nuggets107–127 REG.svg)
at LA Clippers128–110 REG
at Los Angeles Lakers123–87 REG
vs Utah Jazz146–111 REGvs Los Angeles Lakers139–96 REG
vs Detroit Pistons114–110 OTREG
vs New York Knicks111–100 REG
vs Chicago Bulls131–113 REG
at Boston Celtics109–119 REG
at Philadelphia 76ers123–103 REG
at Washington Wizards132–111 REG
at Brooklyn Nets121–92 REG
at Orlando Magic113–108 REG
vs Minnesota Timberwolves116–103 REGvs Boston Celtics104–102 REGvs Denver Nuggets129–126 REG
vs Golden State Warriors104–97 REGat New York Knicks103–100 REGat Chicago Bulls116–108 REGvs Denver Nuggets94–91 PRE
at Milwaukee Bucks116–112 PRE
at Indiana Pacers101–116 PRE.svg)
vs Charlotte Hornets122–116 PRE
at Dallas Mavericks89–106 PREat Charlotte Hornets135–114 PREat Minnesota Timberwolves126–132 REGat Boston Celtics118–144 REGvs Utah Jazz156–137 REGvs Orlando Magic108–112 REG
at Sacramento Kings113–117 REG
at Portland Trail Blazers106–118 REG
vs Houston Rockets102–134 REG
at Toronto Raptors106–119 REGat Detroit Pistons108–129 REGat New York Knicks116–121 REG
vs Cleveland Cavaliers106–111 REGvs LA Clippers105–99 REGvs LA Clippers124–109 REGvs Dallas Mavericks129–111 REGat Houston Rockets105–107 REGvs Toronto Raptors122–111 REGvs Washington Wizards138–118 REGat Phoenix Suns116–118 REGat Sacramento Kings133–123 REGat Los Angeles Lakers101–110 REGat Orlando Magic125–132 PREvs Houston Rockets128–130 PRELast 15 games · all competitions
Oklahoma City Thunder
26 games
Stats
5–0
New Orleans Pelicans
22 games
Oklahoma City Thunder leads in 5 of 5 performance stats.
Bars show values. Scoring mix describes style; fewer turnovers is better. Sample badges mark gaps.
Some historical or current information is incomplete. Review the evidence and uncertainty shown with each forecast; team selections and playing time can change.
