The Golden State Warriors (52-29) visit Smoothie King Center Sunday to take on the New Orleans Pelicans (36-45). Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Warriors vs. Pelicans odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Warriors come into the game following a 100-94 victory Saturday over the San Antonio Spurs, who covered as 7.5-point favorites. With a win against the Pelicans, the Warriors will lock up the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
If they lose and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Spurs, the tiebreaker will force them to No. 4. The Dubs are 40-37-4 against the spread (ATS) on the season and 4-1 ATS over their last 5.
The Pelicans are sitting in 9th place and coming off a 141-114 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, not even coming close to covering as 7.5-point underdogs.
They were without star F Brandon Ingram who was out with hamstring tightness. His status is one to confirm prior to betting this matchup. New Orleans is 2-1 ATS over its last 3 and 4-3 ATS over its last 7.
Warriors at Pelicans odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 1:17 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Warriors -230 (bet $230 to win $100) | Pelicans +180 (bet $100 to win $180)
- Against the spread (ATS): Warriors -5.5 (-108) | Pelicans +5.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 221.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Warriors at Pelicans key injuries
Warriors (not officially submitted)
- G Steph Curry (left foot sprain) out
- G Klay Thompson (injury management) questionable
Pelicans (not officially submitted)
- F Brandon Ingram (right hamstring tightness) questionable
- G Kira Lewis Jr. (ACL/MCL sprain) out
[tipico]
Warriors at Pelicans odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Warriors 113, Pelicans 107
Money line
PASS.
The Warriors have the motivation that should propel their effort and also Steve Kerr’s rotation. With that in mind, I like the Warriors to win, but at -230, their money line has no value.
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Against the spread
BET on the WARRIORS -5.5 (-108).
After a relatively rough streak of games following Curry’s injury, the Warriors have returned to top form even without the two-time MVP. F Draymond Green and G Jordan Poole have been playing at a high level as of late.
The Warriors were a bucket against the Spurs away from having covered 5 straight.
Similarly, the Pelicans could be without Ingram which would crush their offensive aptitude. The Pelicans are 7-18 without Ingram. The spread seems to imply he will play, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on.
New Orleans is just 11-14 ATS as a home underdog as well.
Over/Under
LEAN to the UNDER 221.5 (-110).
The Warriors have been defending at a high level latley. Their projected total is 1-5 O/U in its last 6.
While the Pelicans just gave up 141, they are 2-6 O/U in their last 8, so neither team has necessarily been pushing the pace. They rank 16th (Pelicans) and 20th (Warriors) in pace over their last 15 games.
For those reasons, I prefer the Under 221.5.
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