New Orleans Pelicans (4-18) vs Phoenix Suns (12-8)
December 5, 2024 at 08:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: New Orleans Pelicans +1.5 / Phoenix Suns -1.5 — Over/Under: 218.5
The Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans meet Thursday in NBA action at the Smoothie King Center. Here’s a Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans Pick.
Phoenix Suns Betting Preview
The Phoenix Suns beat the Warriors and Spurs, and they play the Heat, Magic, and Jazz next. The Phoenix Suns are averaging 112.7 points on 46.7 percent shooting and allowing 112.9 points on 46.3 percent shooting. Kevin Durant is averaging 25.8 points and 6.7 rebounds, while Devin Booker is averaging 25 points and 3.8 rebounds. Bradley Beal is the third double-digit scorer and Tyus Jones is grabbing 2.6 rebounds. The Phoenix Suns are shooting 37.5 percent from beyond the arc and 77.9 percent from the free throw line. The Phoenix Suns are allowing 36.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.5 rebounds per game.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Hawks and Knicks, and they play the Thunder, Spurs, and Kings next. The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 103.4 points on 43.2 percent shooting and allowing 116.1 points on 48.5 percent shooting. Brandon Ingram is averaging 22.9 points and 5.8 rebounds, while Zion Williamson is averaging 22.7 points and 8 rebounds. CJ McCollum is the third double-digit scorer and Trey Murphy III is grabbing 4.9 rebounds. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 32.5 percent from beyond the arc and 75.3 percent from the free throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 37.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.4 rebounds per game.
Why the Phoenix Suns will win
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last eight night games.
- The Suns have won nine of their last 10 night games following a home win.
- The Suns have covered the spread in each of their last four games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games as underdogs when playing with a rest advantage.
Total Points Facts
- Twelve of the last 13 games between the Suns and Pelicans at Smoothie King Center have gone OVER the total points line.
- Eleven of the Suns’ last 12 night games at Smoothie King Center have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pelicans rank 1st in the league for opponent free throws made per game this season (14.0).
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for Q3 points per game this season (25.2).
- The Suns rank 28th in the league for opponent turnovers per game this season (12.8).
- The Suns rank 28th in the league for opponent free throw percentage this season (81.1%).
Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
The New Orleans Pelicans are getting some love from oddsmakers because they’re at home and the Suns are down Durant yet again. The problem is the Pelicans remain one of the more banged-up teams in the league, and they have just four wins with a 7-15 ATS record. Ingram and Jones are questionable for the Pelicans, while Alvarado and Zion are still out. No, thanks. The Suns have won 6 of the last 9 games against the Pelicans, and this should be another win, even without Durant. I’ll lay the soft bucket.