<p><em>On Wednesday, January 28, at 12:00 AEDT, the Western Conference will see the best team take on the worst of the current NBA regular season.</em></p> <p>The Oklahoma City Thunder have blown most of their opponents away this season, although they've hit a minor bump in the road over the last few weeks. Still, they've shown everyone why they <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-us/nba-futures">remain the favourites to win the NBA Finals</a> once again.</p> <p>Their opponents on Wednesday are the New Orleans Pelicans; a team that has been experiencing the opposite fortunes. They have struggled to secure wins this season, with victories extremely rare on the road.</p> <p>So, is this game a foregone conclusion? Where is the betting value in this one if it looks one-sided? Read on for our Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans betting predictions!</p> <h2>Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans: Betting Preview</h2> <p>While the respective regular-season records for both teams will likely have a big say in determining the result of this game, is there anything we can take from it?</p> <p>Oklahoma are exceptional at home. As of writing and before their Monday encounter with the Toronto Raptors, they hold a record of 20-3 when playing in front of their own crowd. No other team in the NBA has won more games at home this season. Additionally, they are 28-6 against fellow Western Conference teams.</p> <p>By contrast, the Pelicans are 5-25 against Western Conference teams. They will enter this game having faced the second-best team in the West, the San Antonio Spurs. What happens in that game could influence what happens in this one. On the road, they had a 4-17 record prior to the Spurs game.</p> <h2>Oklahoma City Thunder vs New Orleans Pelicans: Betting Predictions</h2> <p>As we look for betting value in this game, we also consider markets that are more straightforward for bettors. If you're new to <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/how-to-bet-on-the-nba">how to bet on the NBA</a>, this matchup offers a clear example of form disparity. Given how the NBA regular season has developed, we think it is likely that OKC will win.</p> <p>We also believe this is likely due to the head-to-head record that both share. OKC has won the last eight meetings and are 9-1 over the last 10. This has been a huge turnaround for them, given that they had four of five matches over a short period.</p> <p>Score margins have been large at times, which is why we think it is likely OKC win by 11+ points.</p> <p>Player props are always a good go-to for betting value, as this is where <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-us/nba">NBA betting odds</a> can be competitive. With players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander likely to be involved, value can be potentially found in this MVP candidate.</p> <p>He has been exceptional this year, averaging 32.3 points per game (ahead of the clash against the Raptors). This has included numerous scores above 40+. Given his form, it's no surprise he features prominently in the <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/basketball-us/nba-player-awards">NBA MVP odds</a>. We think it is likely that he will have 30+ points in this game.</p> <h2>Keep Reading</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nba/tips">Our experts break down the best NBA bets for today</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nba/nba-news/nba-plus-minus-explained">The plus-minus stat and what it actually tells us</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nba/nba-news/most-triple-doubles-in-nba">Who holds the record for most triple-doubles in NBA history?</a></li> </ul>