Wizards vs. Pelicans Pick
Are the Washington Wizards going to put a stop to the 10-game winning streak enjoyed by the host New Orleans Pelicans when they meet tonight at 8PM ET?
811 Washington Wizards at 812 New Orleans Pelicans, 8PM ET
CURRENT ODDS
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Wizards are listed as a 3.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total sits at 220 points.
Bet NBA Action For Friday, March 9, 2018
LINE MOVEMENT
Washington opened as a 1-point favorite before the line was bumped up, while the totals has also shifted up after opening at 219.5. The Wizards are a 3.5-point fave at most books, but can be found at -3 through shopping around. The total is 220 at most books, although can be still bet at 219.5 at one book.
PUBLIC BETTING
As of Friday afternoon, 67 percent of public bets have come in on the visiting Wizards. Online wager info also says that 51 percent of bets are being placed on the under.
INJURY TO WATCH
Washington small forward Otto Porter Jr. left the last game with a hip contusion and is questionable to play tonight. John Wall remains out as he recovers from knee surgery. The biggest news by far involves the Pelicans as MVP candidate Anthony Davis sprained his ankle in the 114-101 victory at the Kings last game. He is considered doubtful to play tonight.
BETTING STRATEGY
New Orleans has covered the spread nine out of 10 times during its winning streak, but this is the first time it will have to get the job done without Davis as long as he doesn’t somehow work his way back to health throughout the day. Even more impressively, New Orleans has won seven of the contests on the road. Now the Pelicans are back home, where they are 17-12 straight up on the season. Washington is a respectable 18-14 on the road. With everyone seemingly believing the Wizards are the right play tonight, I’m going to go contrarian and say New Orleans’ roster bands together in the absence of its superstar. The Pelicans already managed to do that once when DeMarcus Cousins went down for the season with an Achilles injury, so why not again? If Davis misses an extended period of time, the narrative changes. But for one night only, I believe players such as Jrue Holiday plus Rajon Rondo and Nikola Mirotic can carry them.
NBA DAILY PREDICTION: NEW ORLEANS PELICANS +3.5