Pelicans vs Suns

The first-place New Orleans Pelicans will play their first of two-straight against rival Phoenix Suns in games that will have a playoff atmosphere.

New Orleans is going to be fired up for this one and are eager to show the hated Suns how things have changed this season. He has been dominant over his last five games and should be able to keep it going tonight against the Suns. The home crowd is going to be electric and will help propel the Pels to the win tonight. The money lines are -130 for Phoenix and +110 for New Orleans and the over/under is a combined 228.5 points. Fanduel actually has the Pelicans as two point underdogs tonight at home against the Suns even though they are rolling and the Suns have lost two in a row. Tonight’s game against the Phoenix Suns is one the New Orleans Pelicans have had circled on their calendar since preseason and it’s only grown in importance since.

WagerTalk NBA handicapper Andy Lang offers his predictions and player props for tonight's New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns showdown from the Smoothie ...

Track the NBA point spreads, totals and betting percentages for all of this week’s NBA action, including this New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns showdown, from your desktop or phone. The Suns have won 16-25 tips (64%) and taking first shot in 14-25 games (56%). Meanwhile the Pelicans have won the tip-off in only 11-24 games (46%) and hit first shot in 10-24 games (42%). The Pelicans rank 5th in scoring with 116.7 points a game on 48.4% from the floor. Stay up-to-date on the latest NBA news, stats, analysis, and predictions with our panel of pro sports bettors as they offer some of their favorite NBA best bets, player props and DFS recommendations on tonight’s slate. Phoenix has a tremendous advantage in winning the opening tip and taking the first shot. There will be plenty of eyes on this game between the two top teams in the Western Conference. In his return to action, Chris Paul finished with four points, four rebounds, 4 assists and 4 fouls while sitting out the 4th quarter as the game got out of hand. Zion Williamson led all scorers with 29 points on an impressive 11-16 from the field to go along with 10 rebounds. The game against Boston wasn’t even that close as Phoenix trailed by 27 at halftime and by as many as 45 in the 3rd quarter. This will be the second of four regular season meetings, New Orleans came out on top 124-111 on the road on October 28th. The Pelicans improved to 16-9 on the season after holding off the Detroit Pistons 104-98 on Wednesday night.

While the Suns have been a mainstay at the top of the Western Conference over the past few years, they now welcome the Pelicans as another potential ...

[CJ McCollum](https://www.lineups.com/nba/player-stats/cj-mccollum) [Deandre Ayton](https://www.lineups.com/nba/player-stats/deandre-ayton) [Torrey Craig](https://www.lineups.com/nba/player-stats/torrey-craig) [Mikal Bridges](https://www.lineups.com/nba/player-stats/mikal-bridges) [Devin Booker](https://www.lineups.com/nba/player-stats/devin-booker) [Chris Paul](https://www.lineups.com/nba/player-stats/chris-paul) While the Suns have Deandre Ayton to anchor the paint, he can only do so much with the Pelicans throwing multiple bigs at him. This sets up Zion Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas to have big games, especially with Zion’s scoring abilities at attacking the rim for high quality looks. As for the Pelicans, their scoring production has taken a hit with injuries to Herbert Jones and Brandon Ingram. While we have been accustomed to the idea of Chris Paul being an offensive mastermind and boosting any on floor unit he is on, he has actually hindered the Suns this year. With that being said, I will be on the under in this high-profile matchup. Even with the return of Chris Paul bettors remain skeptical because the Suns have been more dynamic and higher powered with him off the court and it will be interesting to see if Paul can round back into form.

Mikal Bridges #25 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball during the game against Trey Murphy during the Oct. 28 game in Arizona. Pelicans shootaround update: Three ...

NBA odds, picks, and predictions for the Phoenix Suns at New Orleans Pelicans on December 9. NBA betting best bet and free pick analysis.

The Over has hit in the Suns’ last four road games against a team with a winning home record. Phoenix had scored 120 or more points in four of their past five games prior to the Boston meltdown, and Paul’s return should lead to even better looks. Just as Phoenix may be short on answers for Williamson, New Orleans will miss Herb Jones (ankle) for the Booker assignment. The Suns’ offense is on the same level. The Suns are the slightest of favorites tonight, despite being on the road and facing a red-hot Pelicans team. But the Suns are a resilient group. Even with prolific scorer Brandon Ingram sidelined by a toe injury, New Orleans just keeps on rolling. Williamson and Though the visitors boast one of the league’s very best transition defenses, New Orleans will get opportunities if it pushes the pace. Dragging Ayton away from the paint leaves Phoenix with limited rim protection. He keeps raising the bar, too. But the Boston Celtics ruined Chris Paul’s return with a blowout road win, prompting fresh questions about Phoenix’s playoff ceiling.

CJ McCollum had 18 points for the Pelicans, who have won six straight and 11 of 13. Larry Nance Jr. added 17 points and nine rebounds, while Jonas Valanciunas ...

The game was a rematch of the first round of last season's playoffs, which Phoenix won. ... I've got to get the guys in the game that are going to be physical and smart enough to handle the pressure that they give you in the paint.'' ... Outscored the Suns 72-38 in the paint. . It's always going to be a playoff game to us because we're never going to let that go until we eliminate them.'' ''We're just giving up way too many points in the paint and in general. It was a bunch of guys out there yelling and screaming and not even pushing. I felt like they should've done the right thing and they didn't. ''Every game we play them is going to be physical, really locked in. ... Craig and Booker had 14 points. ... Shot 51% (46 of 90) but just 8 of 27 from 3-point range. It wasn't that big of a deal. Lately, he's resembled a dynamo, averaging 29.5 points during a six-game Pelicans winning streak - all while New Orleans star forward Brandon Ingram has been out with a foot injury.

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Phoenix Suns post game quotes from Pelicans head coach Willie Green and players on Friday, December 9, 2022.

The Suns are a great team and a great organization. We are not going to let it go until we eliminate them in the playoffs or if we are in the playoffs and they are staying at home.” “We know we are going to have to compete. It’s always going to be a playoff game for us. “It was great, we love it and we love playing here on our home floor in New Orleans. Every game we play against them is going to be physical and really locked in.