New Orleans Pelicans vs Melbourne United — Qwen betting tip 03 October 2025.

This matchup between the New Orleans Pelicans and Melbourne United presents an intriguing clash of styles and levels of competition. While the NBA preseason is often seen as a tune-up for teams, it still features professional athletes at the highest level of basketball in the world. On the other hand, Melbourne United represents one of the strongest teams from Australia’s NBL, which is a competitive league but operates at a tier below the NBA. This disparity in competition level heavily influences the lopsided odds, with the Pelicans sitting at an overwhelming 1.01 favorite, while Melbourne United is listed as a massive underdog at 20.00. The odds suggest that the bookmakers see this game as nearly unwinnable for Melbourne United.
From a talent perspective, the Pelicans are loaded with NBA-caliber players, many of whom will likely use this preseason game to showcase their skills or compete for roster spots. Even without their starters playing extended minutes, the Pelicans' bench players are significantly more skilled and athletic than most of Melbourne United's roster. The Australians may have a few standout players capable of making an impact, but they lack the depth and athleticism needed to hang with an NBA team over 48 minutes. Additionally, the pace and physicality of the NBA game are typically much higher than what Melbourne United is accustomed to, which could lead to fatigue and turnovers as the game progresses.
Another factor to consider is the context of the game. Preseason matches allow NBA teams to experiment with rotations and strategies without worrying too much about the final score. However, even with this experimental approach, the sheer gap in talent ensures that the Pelicans should dominate most statistical categories, including points in the paint, fast-break points, and overall shooting efficiency. Melbourne United might struggle to keep up, especially if the Pelicans decide to apply defensive pressure consistently throughout the game.
That said, there is always a chance for an upset—or at least a closer-than-expected game—in these international exhibitions. Melbourne United has nothing to lose and may come out firing, hoping to make a statement against one of the best leagues in the world. If they can hit their outside shots early and capitalize on any sluggishness from the Pelicans, they could stay competitive in the first half. However, sustaining that effort for the entire game seems unlikely given the circumstances.
Ultimately, betting on the Pelicans at 1.01 offers very little value, as you would need to risk $100 just to win $1. This makes sense given the extreme likelihood of a Pelicans victory, but it’s not a profitable wager in the long run. Meanwhile, taking Melbourne United at 20.00 is a high-risk, high-reward proposition. If they manage to cover or even win outright, the payout would be substantial—but the probability of that happening is extremely low based on the talent gap. For those looking to bet smartly, this game doesn’t present a strong opportunity due to the lack of balanced odds. However, if forced to choose, backing the Pelicans remains the safer option despite the unappealing return.