The Golden State Warriors will host the New Orleans Pelicans at the Chase Center on Friday night. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Pelicans-Warriors prediction and pick.
This will be the rubber match between these two teams as they've split the first two-head-to-head matchup's coming in. Golden State and New Orleans have been heading down different paths since their back-to-back games in early May. The Warriors are surging into the play-in tournament and the Pelicans have shifted their focus to next season.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Pelicans-Warriors odds.
NBA Odds: Pelicans-Warriors Odds
New Orleans Pelicans +2 (-110)
Golden State Warriors -2 (-110)
Over 224.5 Points (-110)
Under 224.5 Points (-110)
Why The Pelicans Could Cover The Spread
The New Orleans Pelicans have been mathematically eliminated from postseason contention with two games left to play in the regular season. Of course this team still wants to compete in their remaining games, but the organization has shifted its focus to the offseason. It is definitely disappointing that this Pelicans team won't be in the postseason as they're full of young talent and seem destined to turn it around every year.
With guys like Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Lonzo Ball, one would expect that the Pelicans would win more games than they'd lose. The issues have been on the defensive end of the floor all year long. New Orleans rarely had issues scoring the ball and if they had improved even slightly on the defensive end, there is no question that this talented team would be playing in the postseason.
The Pelicans will get a good look at some of the younger guys on this team as Zion, BI, Lonzo, and a few others will all be out of action for this game. Despite the lack of health at this point in the season, New Orleans is still a tough out, especially on the road. The Pelicans are 7-1 ATS in their last eight road games to date.
Why The Warriors Could Cover The Spread
The Golden State Warriors will appear in the play-in tournament and now have a battle for seeding on their hands. With the Grizzlies on their back, Golden State must keep winning in order to lock in the eighth seed and avoid having to win two play-in games to officially make the postseason.
The Warriors have a real test on their hands with two games to play. Make sure to check if Stephen Curry is available or not because without him, this team has absolutely no chance. He is on the pregame injury report, which will be something to monitor closely. Based on the latest soundbites from Steve Kerr, it's sounding increasingly likely that Steph, Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, and a few other key guys will be rested against the Pels.
Golden State is rolling right now with wins in four straight games. The Warriors have defeated both the Jazz and the Suns during that stretch and seem to be clicking on all cylinders right now. Golden State has been playing especially well on their home court as they're 8-1 in their last nine games at the Chase Center. But of course, that's with their stars healthy and Stephen Curry fully engaged.
Final Pelicans-Warriors Prediction & Pick
In what very well may be a battle of the B-squads, I like the Pelicans to come out victorious. Golden State is putting an emphasis on health and rightfully so. Now that New Orleans is playing with nothing to lose, look for the younger guys to get more run and push the pace. The Pels are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 and 7-1 ATS in their last eight games on the road.
FINAL PICK: New Orleans Pelicans +2 (-110)
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