Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans
08:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: New Orleans Pelicans +4 — Over/Under:
Phoenix Suns Betting Preview
The Phoenix Suns lost to the Warriors, beat the Lakers, and they play the Pelicans next. The Suns have lost 7 of their last 12 games.
The Phoenix Suns are averaging 114.9 points on 46.8 percent shooting and allowing 113.9 points on 47.5 percent shooting. Devin Booker is averaging 25.4 points and 4.1 rebounds, while Dillon Brooks is averaging 21.8 points and 3.1 rebounds. Grayson Allen is the third double-digit scorer and Jalen Green is grabbing 2 rebounds. The Phoenix Suns are shooting 36.4 percent from beyond the arc and 79.7 percent from the free throw line. The Phoenix Suns are allowing 35.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.9 rebounds per game.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans beat the Mavs, lost to the Cavs, and they play the Suns next. The Pelicans have won 5 of their last 6 games.
The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 115.5 points on 46.4 percent shooting and allowing 122.8 points on 48.9 percent shooting. Zion Williamson is averaging 21.8 points and 5.7 rebounds, while Trey Murphy III is averaging 20.6 points and 6.2 rebounds. Jordan Poole is the third double-digit scorer and Jeremiah Fears is dishing 3.2 assists. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 34.4 percent from beyond the arc and 79.3 percent from the free-throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 35.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.3 rebounds per game.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The underdogs have won four of the Suns’ last five games at Smoothie King Center.
- The Suns have lost each of their last five games against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last nine games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
- The Suns have failed to cover the spread in 12 of their last 16 games as favorites following a home win.
Why the Phoenix Suns will win
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last nine night games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Suns have won seven of their last eight games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Suns have covered the spread in each of their last eight games against Western Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight Friday night games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
Total Points Facts
- Thirteen of the Suns’ last 14 games at Smoothie King Center have gone OVER the total points line.
- Twelve of the last 13 night games between the Suns and Pelicans at Smoothie King Center have gone OVER the total points line.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Trey Murphy III ranks 2nd amongst qualified Forwards for FT% (91.2%) this season.
- Zion Williamson leads all Pelicans players for points per 36 minutes (27.6) this season.
Phoenix Suns Player Facts
- Devin Booker is one of only 13 qualified players in the league to be leading their team in points (25.4) and assists (6.6) per game this season.
- Royce O’Neale ranks 6th amongst qualified Forwards for three-pointers made per game (2.9) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for Q3 opponent points per game this season (31.7).
- The Pelicans rank 1st for points in the paint (1802) this season.
- The Suns rank 2nd in the league for opponent turnovers per game this season (17.6).
- The Suns rank 28th in the league for opponent free throw percentage this season (80.2%).
Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report
The Pelicans will be without Dejounte Murray and Herbert Jones. Jordan Poole is questionable.
Jalen Green is out for the Suns due to a hamstring injury. Grayson Allen is out as well.
Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
The Pelicans are playing their best ball in years, with wins in 5 of their last 6 games, but they’ll be without Jones and possibly Poole for this one. The Pels just can’t have nice things. The Suns have done a good job of winning games they’re supposed to win, and they smoked the Pelicans back in November by 23 points. The line is reasonable, and I just don’t trust the Pelicans against good teams just yet, especially when down key rotation players. If the Suns are going to make anything of this season, these are games they need to win. I’ll lay the chalk.