New Orleans Pelicans vs. Phoenix Suns Prediction, NBA Odds
Phoenix has dominated the rest of the NBA this year as they look to reach the NBA Finals for a second consecutive season. New Orleans had to claw their way into the postseason by downing the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Clippers in the play-in tournament.
This is the most lopsided Game 1 of the first round, with the Suns sitting as heavy 10.5-point favourites to win on the NBA odds, while the total is set at 225.0.
Pelicans vs. Suns NBA Betting Odds
Phoenix cruised in the head-to-head series this year, winning three of four regular season meetings. The Over/Under alternated evenly throughout the four games.
The Pelicans ended the regular season strong, winning seven of their last 10 games. They’re 43-40-1 against the spread this year, but they’ve failed to cover in four of their last five games against Phoenix. The total has gone Under in 11 of New Orleans’ last 15 games.
Phoenix has been equally as good at home as on the road this year, going 32-9 each in home and away games. They’re 44-38 ATS, although they have failed to cover in five of their last seven games. The total has gone Under in the Suns’ last five games.
New Orleans Pelicans
It didn’t look good for New Orleans late in their 105-101 win over the Clippers on Friday as the pelicans trailed by 13 points in the fourth quarter before a late comeback. New Orleans took advantage of a Clippers team that has been without Kawhi Leonard all season because of an ACL injury, while Paul George was a late scratch due to COVID protocols. Brandon Ingram dropped a game-high 30 points for the Pelicans, while CJ McCollum added 19. Larry Nance Jr. and Trey Murphy III each had 14 points, with Nance also adding 16 rebounds.
This will be New Orleans’ first trip to the playoffs since 2017-18. The Pelicans fell into the bottom half of the NBA in points per game (109.3, 21st) and they were 13th in points allowed (110.3). McCollum has averaged a team-high 24.3 points in 26 games since being acquired from Portland in the lead up to the trade deadline. Ingram is next with 22.7 ppg. Zion Williamson has missed the entire season with a foot injury and isn’t expected to play until next season. Because of injuries, Williamson has been limited to just 85 total games over his three-year NBA career.
Phoenix Suns
Phoenix came close last year, but ultimately fell to the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals. Since then, they’ve absolutely dominated the NBA, earning the league’s best regular season record this year by eight games. The Suns had the NBA’s best home record (32-9), best road record (also 32-9) and best point differential (+7.5). They averaged 114.8 ppg, fifth-highest in the NBA, and they allowed 107.3 ppg, eighth.
Phoenix has continued to roll this season despite injuries to key players. The team’s three leading scorers, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton, all missed at least 14 games each. Booker leads the team with 26.8 ppg, Ayton is next with 17.2 and Paul is averaging 14.7. Paul also leads the NBA with 10.8 assists per game, while Ayton leads the team with 10.2 rebounds. Cameron Payne missed the final two regular season games with a knee injury, but will return for Game 1. Landry Shamet missed practice on Friday with a left foot injury and his status for Game 1 is uncertain.
NO
PHO