Pelicans vs. Suns Prediction & Odds
The second-place Pelicans travel to Phoenix to take on the first-place Suns Saturday night at 9:00 PM ET. Can the Suns cover the 3.5-point spread as home favorites?
The New Orleans Pelicans are 18-10 on the season. They are 7-3 in their last 10 games. The Pelicans are 15-13 ATS on the year.
The Phoenix Suns are 17-12 on the season. They’re 4-6 in their last 10 games. The Suns are 15-14 ATS on the year.
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
561 New Orleans Pelicans (+3.5) at 562 Phoenix Suns (-3.5); O/U 228.5
9:00 PM ET, Saturday, December 17, 2022
Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
Pelicans vs. Suns Public Betting Information
Our NBA Public Betting Information page indicates that 67% of public bettors are currently backing the Pelicans +3.5 in this contest. Note that these numbers are subject to change, so be sure to check the link to receive the most up-to-date public betting data.
New Orleans Pelicans DFS Spin
Pelicans small forward Brandon Ingram will remain out of the lineup for New Orleans for this game and another week in total. The 6’8” Duke alumnus averaged 20.8 points per game in 15 contests for New Orleans this season. Pelicans reserve backup point guard Jose Alvarado missed New Orleans’ last game with a rib contusion but he’s listed as probable for Saturday’s road clash with the Suns.
If you need cost-effective three-point shooting in DFS, consider Pelicans’ shooting guard Trey Murphy III. Murphy is getting a lot of playing time as he’s fourth on New Orleans in minutes played per game, and he’s sinking a superb 39.2% of his three-pointers this season. Murphy is averaging 12.3 points per game, 2.3 made three-pointers per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, and 1.2 steals per game. He should be available for a good price in DFS this weekend.
Phoenix Suns DFS Spin
The Phoenix Suns will be without three of their top five scorers on Saturday. Center Deandre Ayton has an ankle injury, backup point guard Cameron Payne has a foot injury, and small forward Cameron Johnson has a knee injury. Those three players were averaging a combined 42.7 points per game for the Suns this season.
Cameron Payne not being available means that veteran Suns point guard Chris Paul may see some more playing time and take on an expanded role in the offense. Paul is only averaging 10.7 points per game, but he’s made up for it in other categories. The 6’0” 17th-year man is doling out 9.1 assists per game, pulling down 4.9 rebounds per game, and collecting 1.5 steals per game. Consider using Chris Paul in DFS while you still can because he may retire in the next year or two.
Pelicans vs. Suns NBA Betting Trends
New Orleans is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games against a team with a winning straight-up record.
New Orleans is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games played on 1 day’s rest.
Phoenix is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Phoenix is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
Pelicans vs. Suns NBA Prediction
The Suns being without Deandre Ayton, Cameron Johnson, and Cameron Payne should loom large in this contest. Those three players ranked fourth, fifth, and sixth respectively in minutes per game for the Suns this season. The trio will likely be replaced by forward Torrey Craig, guard Damion Lee and center Jock Landale. Not one of those players averages more than 9 points per game.
The Pelicans on the other hand have been one of the best teams in the NBA this season. They’re third in the league with an average scoring differential of +5.6 and rank third in the NBA with 56.6 paint points per game. New Orleans’ Zion Williamson is one of the most explosive players in the league when healthy and he should power the Pelicans to a stellar performance on Saturday. I’ll take the Pelicans and the points on the road.
NBA BETTING PREDICTION: NEW ORLEANS PELICANS +3.5
