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The Phoenix Suns will take on the New Orleans Pelicans in a crucial game six matchup on Thursday night. It's time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Suns-Pelicans prediction and pick.
This series wasn't supposed to go to six games. The Suns were the most dominant team in the NBA throughout the regular season, and the Pelicans scraped their way into the postseason. However, an injury to star Phoenix shooting guard Devin Booker in game two evened the playing field in this one. Since then, it's been a hotly contested series, with each team trading off wins and losses. Thursday night's game should be another entertaining matchup, so let's get into the pick.
Here are the Suns-Pelicans NBA playoffs odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Playoffs Odds: Suns-Pelicans Odds
Phoenix Suns: -1.5 (-110)
New Orleans Pelicans: +1.5 (-110)
Over: 214.5 (-110)
Under: 214.5 (-110)
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Why The Suns Could Cover The Spread
Phoenix has been one of the best defensive teams in the NBA throughout the season, and that should show here. They only allowed 107 points per game while holding their opponents to a 44% shooting percentage from the field. In game five, the Suns put forth one of the better defensive performances of the season, holding the Pelicans to 97 points on 40% shooting from the field. New Orleans also shot 20% from three in that game, showing just how dominant this Phoenix defense can be. They should similarly efficient in this game.
While Booker's absence is huge, the Suns have a good track record of playing without him. They went 8-6 without Booker in the regular season, notching impressive wins over the Boston Celtics and the San Antonio Spurs. Phoenix has plenty of offensive players who could contribute to filling Booker's shoes, including Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, and Jae Crowder. The Suns aren't lacking offensive firepower, making Booker's absence a little less important.
Why The Pelicans Could Cover The Spread
The Pelicans have been surprisingly good on the offensive end this series. New Orleans scored 111 points or more in three straight games before a poor showing in game five. They shot fairly well in each of those three contests, notching a 47% shooting percentage or higher in each one. Star forward Brandon Ingram has been fantastic, as he's scored thirty or more points in three games this series. It's clear that New Orleans is decent at the very least on offense, and that shouldn't change here.
It's no surprise that the Pelicans' best win in this series came on their home floor. New Orleans was slightly better at home than they were on the road throughout the regular season, earning a 19-22 mark in Smoothie King Arena and a 13-23 record everywhere else. The Pelicans also went 23-20-1 against the spread as a home team on the year. Home court advantage has been huge for New Orleans this season, and it should have a big impact in this game too.
Final Suns-Pelicans Prediction & Pick
These teams have been trading wins, and that trend will continue here. The Pelicans will extend the series once more by pulling off a home upset against a Suns team that is without their best player.
Final Suns-Pelicans Prediction & Pick: New Orleans Pelicans: +1.5 (-110)
