Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the NBA Summer League match.
Both teams are entering the second leg of a back-to-back, which is likely to affect their energy levels. The Oklahoma City Thunder have started their NBA Summer League campaign in impressive fashion and look determined to clinch a play-off spot. In contrast, the New Orleans Pelicans have already suffered three defeats, and their motivation heading into the final games appears to be lacking.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder have recorded three wins from three in the NBA Summer League, beating the Indiana Pacers, the Brooklyn Nets, and the Orlando Magic. Each of those wins came by a margin of at least nine points. The squad has delivered strong performances across the board, shooting 47.6% from the field and averaging 36 rebounds per game. Donovan Mitchell has been particularly impactful, averaging 19.8 points per game. Defensively, the Thunder have been just as effective, conceding no more than 85 points in any of their contests in Las Vegas.
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans opened their NBA Summer League campaign with three straight losses—against the Los Angeles Lakers (81:94), the Minnesota Timberwolves (91:98), and the Portland Trail Blazers (87:93). Any realistic chance of reaching the play-offs has already evaporated. Despite a few individual highlights, such as a double-double from Derik Queen (12 points and 13 rebounds against the Los Angeles Lakers), the squad as a whole has underperformed. The Pelicans are averaging just 86.3 points per game, ranking 25th in the league, and just 9.7 assists per game—the lowest mark in the entire Summer League. With another game just 24 hours after their last, the team faces a tough challenge against a physically dominant and highly motivated Oklahoma City Thunder squad.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
The Oklahoma City Thunder have made a strong impression early in the tournament, excelling on both ends of the court. Considering poor form from the New Orleans Pelicans, lack of motivation, and the demanding schedule, the edge is clearly with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
