Trailing 2-1, the New Orleans Pelicans will look to even up their first round series against the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 on Sunday night.  The teams split the first two games of the series in Phoenix, before the Suns took the lead with a 114-111 win in New Orleans in Game 4.

Phoenix is a 2.5-point favourite to win on the NBA odds, with a total of 215.5.

Suns vs. Pelicans NBA Betting Odds

Two of three games in this series have hit the Over, which is a bit of an anomaly considering six of the Suns’ last eight games and 12 of the Pelicans’ last 18 games have gone Under.  Phoenix has covered in two of three games and they’re now 6-2 against the spread in their last eight games overall.  New Orleans is 1-5 ATS in their last six games as an underdog.

The Suns are heavy -712 favourites to win this series, while the Pelicans currently stand as +483 underdogs.  The series total of 5.5 games is favoured to hit the Over at -167, although the favoured exact series score is for Phoenix is to win in five games, which is +125.

Phoenix Suns

With Devin Booker out of the lineup in Game 3, the Suns needed someone to step up and Chris Paul answered the bell.  Paul scored 19 points in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 28 points and 14 assists with no turnovers in 40 minutes of action.  Paul scored 15 of Phoenix’s first 23 points in the final period.  Deandre Ayton also had a 28-point effort and added 17 rebounds.  Mikal Bridges had 17 points and JaVale McGee chipped in 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting.  The Suns held New Orleans to just one offensive rebound in the second half.

The biggest concern for the Suns right now is the absence of Booker.  Phoenix’s leading scorer during the regular season had 31 first-half points in Game 2 before suffering a Grade 1 hamstring strain.  The injury typically takes 2-3 weeks to recover, making Booker’s return to this series unlikely.

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans will be kicking themselves for blowing a home game against a team missing one of its biggest stars.  It wasn’t for lack of effort from Brandon Ingram or CJ McCollum, however.  Ingram finished with a game-high 34 points and added seven rebounds.  McCollum put up 30 points and seven assists.  Herb Jones and Devonte’ Graham (12 points each) were the only other New Orleans players to score in double figures.  Former Toronto Raptor Jonas Valanciunas chipped in 11 boards.

Of course, the Pelicans are still without 2019 first overall draft pick Zion Williamson.  Williamson has missed the entire season following offseason foot surgery and although he resumed 1-on-1 drills at practice in late March, the team reportedly prefers to keep him out of the lineup so he is fully healthy for next season.  Because of various injuries, Williamson has been limited to just 85 career games across three NBA seasons.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Suns vs. Pelicans?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Suns Team Leaders

PHO

Points	Devin Booker 26.79
Assists	Chris Paul 10.8
Rebounds	Deandre Ayton 10.22
FG%	Deandre Ayton 63.4
Steals	Chris Paul 1.86
Blocks	JaVale McGee 1.09

NO

Points	CJ McCollum 24.27
Assists	CJ McCollum 5.85
Rebounds	Jonas Valanciunas 11.39
FG%	Jaxson Hayes 61.6
Steals	Herbert Jones 1.67
Blocks	Herbert Jones 0.88

PHO

Points	Devin Booker 23.3
Assists	Chris Paul 8.31
Rebounds	Deandre Ayton 8.92
FG%	JaVale McGee 70
Steals	Chris Paul 1.46
Blocks	Mikal Bridges 1

NO

Points	Brandon Ingram 27
Assists	Brandon Ingram 6.17
Rebounds	Jonas Valanciunas 14.33
FG%	Naji Marshall 70
Steals	Herbert Jones 1.83
Blocks	CJ McCollum 0.83

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Pelicans Team Leaders

PHO

Points	Devin Booker 26.79
Assists	Chris Paul 10.8
Rebounds	Deandre Ayton 10.22
FG%	Deandre Ayton 63.4
Steals	Chris Paul 1.86
Blocks	JaVale McGee 1.09

NO

Points	CJ McCollum 24.27
Assists	CJ McCollum 5.85
Rebounds	Jonas Valanciunas 11.39
FG%	Jaxson Hayes 61.6
Steals	Herbert Jones 1.67
Blocks	Herbert Jones 0.88

PHO

Points	Devin Booker 23.3
Assists	Chris Paul 8.31
Rebounds	Deandre Ayton 8.92
FG%	JaVale McGee 70
Steals	Chris Paul 1.46
Blocks	Mikal Bridges 1

NO

Points	Brandon Ingram 27
Assists	Brandon Ingram 6.17
Rebounds	Jonas Valanciunas 14.33
FG%	Naji Marshall 70
Steals	Herbert Jones 1.83
Blocks	CJ McCollum 0.83

Injuries

Phoenix

Jae Crowder (SF)

Prob Thurs Shoulder - 11 / 05 / 22

Jae Crowder (SF)

day-to-day Leg - 08 / 05 / 22

Torrey Craig (SF)

Prob Tues Elbow - 06 / 05 / 22

Landry Shamet (PG)

Prob Sun Foot - 15 / 04 / 22

Deandre Ayton (C)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Jae Crowder (SF)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Cameron Payne (PG)

Prob Sun Knee - 09 / 04 / 22

Deandre Ayton (C)

Ques Fri Ankle - 06 / 04 / 22

Jae Crowder (SF)

Ques Fri Ankle - 06 / 04 / 22

Deandre Ayton (C)

Out Sun Rest - 02 / 04 / 22

New Orleans

Brandon Ingram (SF)

Prob Thurs Finger - 27 / 04 / 22

Devonte' Graham (PG)

Out Sun Rest - 10 / 04 / 22

Jonas Valanciunas (C)

Ques Wed Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22

Brandon Ingram (SF)

Prob Wed Hamstring - 07 / 04 / 22

Jonas Valanciunas (C)

Prob Thurs Ankle - 04 / 04 / 22

Jonas Valanciunas (C)

Prob Wed Foot - 29 / 03 / 22

Jonas Valanciunas (C)

Prob Sun Foot - 27 / 03 / 22

CJ McCollum (SG)

Prob Sun Ankle - 27 / 03 / 22

Larry Nance Jr. (SF)

Prob Wed Knee - 27 / 03 / 22

Devonte' Graham (PG)

Prob Mon Hip - 19 / 03 / 22

Injuries

Phoenix

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Jae Crowder (SF)	Prob Thurs	Shoulder - 11 / 05 / 22	1-2	0-3	+ -
Crowder is battling a left shoulder injury, but it is expected that he will face the Mavericks in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Jae Crowder (SF)	day-to-day	Leg - 08 / 05 / 22	1-3	0-4	+ -
Crowder exited Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals versus the Mavericks due to a leg injury, and it is unknown if he will return.
Torrey Craig (SF)	Prob Tues	Elbow - 06 / 05 / 22	2-3	1-4	+ -
Craig is nursing a right elbow contusion, but it is projected that he will play the Mavericks in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals.
Landry Shamet (PG)	Prob Sun	Foot - 15 / 04 / 22	7-6	6-7	+ -
Shamet is bothered by a left foot sprain, but it is likely that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Pelicans.
Deandre Ayton (C)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	8-6	6-8	+ -
Ayton will not be active for Sunday's clash versus the Kings as he will be handed a day of rest.
Jae Crowder (SF)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	8-6	6-8	+ -
Crowder will not be available against the Kings on Sunday as he will have a day of rest.
Cameron Payne (PG)	Prob Sun	Knee - 09 / 04 / 22	9-6	6-9	+ -
Payne is dealing with right knee soreness, and it is projected that he will suit up for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the winner of the Play-In.
Deandre Ayton (C)	Ques Fri	Ankle - 06 / 04 / 22	9-8	6-11	+ -
Ayton missed the previous outing with a sore right ankle, and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Jazz on Friday.
Jae Crowder (SF)	Ques Fri	Ankle - 06 / 04 / 22	9-8	6-11	+ -
Crowder sat out the previous game with a sore right ankle, and it is uncertain if he will be available Friday against the Jazz.
Deandre Ayton (C)	Out Sun	Rest - 02 / 04 / 22	9-9	7-11	+ -
Ayton will not dress for Sunday's matchup versus the Thunder as he will receive a day of rest.

New Orleans

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Brandon Ingram (SF)	Prob Thurs	Finger - 27 / 04 / 22	1-1	1-1	+ -
Ingram is nursing a pair of right finger injuries, but he is expected to take on the Suns in Game 6 of the Western Conference first round.
Devonte' Graham (PG)	Out Sun	Rest - 10 / 04 / 22	2-5	5-2	+ -
Graham will not dress for Sunday's clash versus the Warriors as he will be given a day of rest.
Jonas Valanciunas (C)	Ques Wed	Ankle - 10 / 04 / 22	2-5	5-2	+ -
Valanciunas is tending to right ankle soreness, and it is undetermined if he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference Play-In against the Spurs.
Brandon Ingram (SF)	Prob Wed	Hamstring - 07 / 04 / 22	4-5	6-3	+ -
Ingram is dealing with a tight right hamstring, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Game 1 of the Western Conference Play-In against the Spurs.
Jonas Valanciunas (C)	Prob Thurs	Ankle - 04 / 04 / 22	5-6	6-5	+ -
Valanciunas missed the previous game with a sore right ankle, but it is likely that he will hit the court on Thursday against the Trail Blazers.
Jonas Valanciunas (C)	Prob Wed	Foot - 29 / 03 / 22	6-7	6-7	+ -
Valanciunas is bothered by a sore right foot, but he is expected to battle the Blazers on Wednesday.
Jonas Valanciunas (C)	Prob Sun	Foot - 27 / 03 / 22	6-8	6-8	+ -
Valanciunas is hampered by right foot soreness, but it is expected that he will be available for Sunday's tilt versus the Lakers.
CJ McCollum (SG)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 27 / 03 / 22	6-8	6-8	+ -
McCollum is nursing a sprain left ankle, but it is likely that he will battle the Lakers on Sunday.
Larry Nance Jr. (SF)	Prob Wed	Knee - 27 / 03 / 22	6-8	6-8	+ -
Nance Jr. sat out the last game with a right knee injury, but it is projected that he will take on the Trail Blazers on Wednesday.
Devonte' Graham (PG)	Prob Mon	Hip - 19 / 03 / 22	10-9	8-11	+ -
Graham sat out the last contest with a right hip soreness, but it is likely that he will play against the Hornets on Monday.