New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns Betting Preview
Tuesday night features the second of a seven-game series between the No. 8 New Orleans Pelicans (0-1) and the top-seeded Phoenix Suns (1-0). The Suns will host this one at the Footprint Center, with tipoff scheduled for 10:00 pm ET.
On Sunday, the Suns were able to take the first game of the series 110-99.
In the loss, CJ McCollum had a team-high 25 points to go along with eight rebounds and six assists. Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas added 18 apiece, with Valanciunas adding 25 rebounds as well.
Veteran point guard Chris Paul led all scorers with 30 points. He had a double-double as he also added ten assists and seven rebounds.
Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton combined for 46 points, 13 rebounds, and ten assists in the victory.
The Suns are the overwhelming favorites in Game 2. They are -510 to win while the Pelicans’ moneyline sits at +390. The spread features New Orleans +10 (-112), and the over/under for total points is 221.5.
In terms of the series, the Suns are -3500 to win it while the Pelicans are +1400 to pull off the upset.
By The Numbers
This season, the Suns have had the stronger of the two offenses. They rank fifth in scoring averaging 114.8 points per game. The Pelicans rank 21st averaging 109.2 points (107 on the road).
Defensively, it is again Phoenix with the advantage. They rank eighth in scoring defense allowing opponents an average of just 107.2 points per game. The Pelicans rank 12th allowing 110.1 points.
Pelicans Trying To Steal One Game On The Road
If New Orleans has any chance of winning this series, they are going to have to steal at least one game on the road. At 17-24 this season outside of Louisiana, that is easier said than done.
During the regular season, the Pelicans were led offensively by Brandon Ingram and C.J. McCollum. Ingram averaged 22.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.
After a midseason trade, McCollum played in 26 games with New Orleans, averaging 24.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.3 steals.
Outside of these two, their other big contributor is big man Jonas Valanciunas. He is averaging a double-double with 17.8 points and 11.4 rebounds.
Suns Using Home Court Advantage For Early Lead
At 64-18, the Suns were remarkably consistent regardless of the venue. In fact, they had identical records of 32-9 both at home and on the road. Still, they are trying to use their home court advantage to take a 2-0 lead in this series.
Devin Booker has been the Suns’ main scoring threat all season long. In 68 games, he averaged 26.8 points, five rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.1 steals.
The Suns are deep, though, as they have several significant contributors, including DeAndre Ayton (17.2 points, 10.2 rebounds), Chris Paul (14.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 10.8 assists), Mikal Bridges (14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists), Cameron Johnson (12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds), and others.
Take The Suns To Win And Cover
For as well as the Pelicans have played at times this season, this is truly a matchup where they are simply outclassed.
There is a reason that the Suns are the favorites to win the NBA Finals (+200) because they are super talented, have great veteran leadership, and they are deep.
They are also 12-4 in their last 16 games, and they are 11-4 in their last 15 against the Western Conference. They are going to be a tough matchup for any opponent, especially a No. 8 seed.
Take the Suns to both win and cover the 10-point spread.
