Pelicans vs. Thunder odds, prediction, time: 2023 NBA Play-In ...

The 2023 NBA Play-In Tournament features the No. 10 Oklahoma City Thunder traveling to play the No. 9 New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night. The winner moves on to fight to secure the No. 8 seed. The Thunder ended the regular season on a two-game win streak, outlasting the Memphis Grizzlies 115-100 on April 9. In a similar fashion, New Orleans won two of its last three games. Zion Williamson (hamstring) is out for the Pelicans.

Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Caesars Sportsbook lists New Orleans as the 5.5-point favorite in the latest Thunder vs. Pelicans odds, while the over/under for total points is set at 226.5. Before locking in any Pelicans vs. Thunder picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model enters the 2023 NBA Play-in Tournament a stunning 71-36 on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $3,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Thunder vs. Pelicans and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the NBA lines and trends for Pelicans vs. Thunder:

Thunder vs. Pelicans: New Orleans -5.5Thunder vs. Pelicans over/under: 226.5 pointsThunder vs. Pelicans money line: New Orleans -225, Oklahoma City +185OKC: The Thunder are 10-4 ATS in the last 14 meetingsNO: The Pelicans are 5-1 ATS in their last six games following an ATS lossThunder vs. Pelicans picks: See pick at SportsLine Why the Thunder can cover 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a versatile combo guard. Gilgeous-Alexander has terrific length that gives him an advantage when he's facilitating and driving to the rack. The 2023 All-Star selection ranked fourth in the NBA in scoring (31.4) with 4.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game. On April 4 against the Golden State Warriors, he logged 32 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Guard Josh Giddey is a heady and alert playmaker in the backcourt. Giddey quickly scans the floor and is able to make the right read consistently. The 2021 sixth-overall pick can also finish with either hand at the rim. He averaged 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game. In the season finale against the Utah Jazz, he logged 17 points, eight boards and eight assists.

Why the Pelicans can cover

Forward Brandon Ingram is the best offensive player on the court for the Pelicans. Ingram has the skill set to score from all three levels and shoot right over defenders. The Duke product is also looking to set up his teammates. He logged 24.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. On Sunday versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, Ingram had 42 points, 12 boards and seven dimes.

Guard CJ McCollum has been a smooth ball handler in the backcourt. McCollum owns a reliable mid-range jumper and is fearless driving to the rim. The Lehigh product put up 20.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. He dropped at least 23 points in three straight games. On April 5 against the Memphis Grizzlies, McCollum amassed 31 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. 

How to make Thunder vs. Pelicans picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 220 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations. You can get the model's picks at SportsLine.

So who wins Pelicans vs. Thunder? And which side of the spread hits over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.