The New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns will square off in the second of two nationally televised back-to-back NBA battles on Friday, and we provide our Pelicans-Suns prediction, odds and pick.
The Pelicans (3-1) come into this game with many injuries, but when at full strength, they have been a very exciting young team, one which shows NBA-contending potential. They were actually shorthanded in their last outing and took down the Dallas Mavericks, who made the Western Conference Finals last season.
The Suns ripped the Golden State Warriors at home 134-105 and have yet to lose there. Phoenix (3-1) has wins over the Los Angeles Clippers, Warriors and Mavericks, having lost to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Suns have scored 110 or more points in three of the four games.
This game is set to tip at 10 p.m. ET at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. It will be televised on ESPN.
NBA Odds: Pelicans-Suns Odds
Phoenix Can Do It All
The Suns are a team that can do everything, which they proved a season ago, and returned a similar roster to the team that had the best record in the West. Phoenix last season was fifth in offensive rating and third in defensive rating, the only team in the top five in both stats. This season has been some of the same; the Suns rank seventh in offensive rating and third in defensive rating.
With guards Devin Booker and Chris Paul playing at a high level, the Suns have the leadership and experience to dominate regular-season play. They rank 10th in offensive rebounding rate and fifth in defensive rebounding rate, showing there really isn’t a weakness on this team.
Booker leads Phoenix averaging 32.5 points per game. His efficiency has been absurd, shooting 53% from the field and 48% from deep. They likely won’t be, but both would be career highs if they are maintained. With forward Jae Crowder not with the team, Cameron Johnson has had to step up, and he is shooting 41% from deep and averaging 10.0 points per game.
Can injured Pelicans put on a show?
The Pelicans aren’t down just a few key pieces. F Brandon Ingram is out, and F Zion Williamson, F Herbert Jones, G CJ McCollum and G Jose Alvarado are all questionable.
The Pelicans, as noted, have proven they can compete without key pieces, but there seem to be too many injuries mounting for them to overcome, especially on the road. Two of the Pelicans’ top-six scorers are not on their injury report. They are banged up, and one should wait to bet on this game until the final line is set.
New Orleans has beaten the Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets and Mavs this season, with two of those wins by double figures. In its win over the Mavs without many key pieces, F Trey Murphy III stepped up and scored a team-high 22 points with a remarkable eight players in double figures.
The Pelicans have been a solid shooting side, sitting seventh in effective field goal rate. However, with so many key pieces potentially sidelined, many seasonlong numbers are less meaningful.
Why have the Pelicans been dominant to start the season? It has been their offensive rebounding rate that sits first in the NBA. However, the Suns have the size with center Deandre Ayton to counter the effectiveness of C Jonas Valančiūnas.
Phoenix destroyed Golden State and is 25-24 against the spread (ATS) as a home favorite this season and last. The Suns can dominate on both sides of the court, and with their prowess on the glass, should have the edge.
With the Suns having the healthier, more proven roster, backing them in this position is the safer bet.
Final Pelicans-Suns Pick: Phoenix -6.5 (-110) at Caesars | Playable to -6.0 (-120)
