The New Orleans Pelicans were tied for ninth in the Western Conference with a record of 28-36 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Pelicans winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.
New Orleans Pelicans season recap
The Pelicans were locked in a three-way tie for the ninth spot in the Western Conference with the Portland Trail Blazers (29-37) and Sacramento Kings (28-36), 3 1/2 games back of the eighth-place Memphis Grizzlies (32-33), while maintaining a half-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs (27-36). That’s why there is a heavy Western Conference feel in the 22-team bubble at the Walt Disney Wide World of Sports in Orlando as the season resumes.
What the other teams mentioned above do not have is super rookie PF Zion Williamson. The Pelicans patiently waited for the rookie out of Duke to make his NBA debut after he recovered from surgery to repair a torn meniscus. He made his first NBA appearance Jan. 22, a loss to the Spurs, but the team posted a 10-9 record with him on the floor, including two key wins over the Blazers Feb. 11 and Feb. 21. In 19 games, Williamson averaged 23.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, while shooting 46.2 percent from behind the 3-point line.
The Pellies are anything but a one-trick pony, however, and that’s what makes them a team most contenders do not want to see in the bubble, especially with no home-court advantage to lean upon.
Looking to place a bet on the NBA Championship? Get some action on it at BetMGM. Bet Now!
New Orleans Pelicans NBA Championship odds
Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday, June 16 at 7:45 a.m. ET.
The PELICANS (+20000) are worth a roll of the dice at this price level. I mean, toss a buck on Zion and the Pellies for a potential return of $200. With Zion, SF Brandon Ingram (24.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 4.3 APG), SG Jrue Holiday (19.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 6.9 APG), SG JJ Redick (14.9 PPG), PG Lonzo Ball (12.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 7.0 APG) and C Derrick Favors (9.2 PPG, 9.9 RPG), as well as SF Josh Hart (10.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG) off the pine, this team has quite a bit of depth and will give someone fits. The Pelicans might not win it all, and might not come close, but they’ll make folks sweat, and they’re a GREAT VALUE at this price point.
New Orleans Pelicans Western Conference odds
The PELICANS (+10000) are the team no one wants to see in the bubble. Sure, they’ve had a losing record overall, but a winning mark (by one game) since Williamson joined the fray. They can give people fits, and are worth a roll of the dice at this price level in case some of the higher-seeded teams struggle, do not show up or just exhibit plenty of rust. Don’t go crazy, but some people choose to throw their money away on fancy coffee or streaming service subscriptions to watch tiger shows. Here, you could spend that money more wisely and win a few bones if the Pellies get hot in O-Town.
Get some action on the NBA Championship by signing up and betting at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter, and follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and Facebook. Please gamble responsibly.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]