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The Phoenix Suns will take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Suns-Pelicans prediction and pick.
This game could be a preview of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. The Suns have dominated the NBA this season, earning a 54-14 record and the first seed in the West. Phoenix looks like a lock to retain that first seed, making a matchup with the Pelicans in the postseason possible. New Orleans is currently 28-40, which places them on the edge of the play-in tournament. However, the Pelicans have been playing decent basketball lately. It's possible we see them rise in the standings throughout the rest of the season. This game could have huge implications, so let's get into the pick.
Here are the Suns-Pelicans NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Suns-Pelicans Odds
Phoenix Suns: -4.5 (-110)
New Orleans Pelicans: +4.5 (-110)
Over: 231 (-110)
Under: 231 (-110)
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Why The Suns Could Cover The Spread
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The Suns should be able to score essentially at will in this matchup. Phoenix has been one of the best offensive teams in the NBA this season, scoring 114 points per game while shooting an insane 48% from the field. Shooting guard Devin Booker has been nearly unstoppable, averaging 25 points per game while shooting 37% from three point range. It helps that the Pelicans have been terrible on defense. New Orleans doesn't allow a ton of points, but their opponents shoot 46% from the field on great shooting efficiency numbers. The Suns won't struggle on offense at all here.
To make matters even worse for New Orleans, they'll be playing this game without one of their best players. Forward Brandon Ingram, who leads the Pelicans in points and assists per game, is dealing with a long-term hamstring injury. New Orleans will be forced to make do without him, something they've struggled with this season. The Pelicans have played 18 games without Ingram, going 3-15 in those contests.
Why The Pelicans Could Cover The Spread
This New Orleans offense has quietly turned into a deadly one. The Pelicans have scored 117 points or more in seven of their last nine games, including a 117-102 win over the Suns. Guard CJ McCollum has played fantastic basketball so far for New Orleans, and he should only get stronger with Ingram's absence. Phoenix is obviously an elite defensive team, but the Pelicans have been dropping big numbers on good defensive teams recently, as shown by their 118-point performance against the Dallas Mavericks. Don't count out this New Orleans offense.
New Orleans, like most teams in the league, is far better when they play on their home court. The Pelicans are 16-19 at home and 12-21 when they play anywhere else. Head coach Willie Green's squad has also gone 18-16-1 against the spread as the home team. Playing in Smoothie King Center should give the Pelicans an advantage that they'll need as they face one of the best teams in the entire NBA.
Final Suns-Pelicans Prediction & Pick
This spread is just too small to pick anything but the Suns to cover. Without Ingram, it's extremely unlikely that New Orleans is able to keep this game close. Plus, McCollum is making his return after missing the last two games in COVID protocols. So, it's possibly he is not ready for a full workload.
Final Suns-Pelicans Pick: Phoenix Suns: -4.5 (-110)
