New Orleans @ Oklahoma City preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 12, 2018 ) Oklahoma City 114, New Orleans 118

The Oklahoma City Thunder are back on track after a brief slump as they enter Thursday's home contest against the New Orleans Pelicans. Oklahoma City is seeking its fourth straight victory after dropping five of its previous six games.

The Thunder posted a 123-114 victory over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday and have topped 120 points in six of their past seven contests. "I definitely thought we were clicking more," Oklahoma City star forward Paul George told reporters after scoring 36 points against Portland. "It was better rhythm for everybody. We obviously had a lot more energy." New Orleans will be without star big man Anthony Davis (finger) for the third straight game as it looks to bounce back from Wednesday's 98-94 home loss against the Detroit Pistons. "We have to stop talking about the playoffs," frustrated Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters after his squad fell to four games below .500. "We have to stop talking about getting to .500. We have to worry about the next game ahead of us."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS New Orleans, FS Oklahoma

ABOUT THE PELICANS (22-26): Davis is slated to have his fractured left index finger re-evaluated Friday and there is a strong belief he might be able to return sometime next week. He suffered the injury in last Friday's loss to Portland and there was concern Davis might miss four weeks or longer. Seldom-used center Jahlil Okafor has received significantly increased playing time with Davis sidelined and he averaged 18.5 points and 10 rebounds while posting back-to-back double-doubles.

ABOUT THE THUNDER (29-18): Point guard Russell Westbrook recorded 29 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds for his 14th triple-double of the season in the victory over Portland. Westbrook's shooting has been inconsistent in 11 games this month - he is shooting 39.5 percent - but he has exceeded 20 points nine times while averaging 24 points, 11.8 assists and 10.3 rebounds in January. Oklahoma City racked up 16 steals - five by George - against the Trail Blazers and leads the league in steals (10.4) and turnovers forced (17.1).

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The teams split this season's first two meetings with the home club winning each time.

2. New Orleans PG Jrue Holiday scored 29 points versus Detroit for his fifth 20-point effort in the past six games.

3. Oklahoma City SG Terrance Ferguson is 9-of-13 shooting over the past two games.

PREDICTION: Thunder 120, Pelicans 108