The No. 1 seed Phoenix Suns (1-0) host the No. 8 seed New Orleans Pelicans (0-1) Tuesday for Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series. Tip-off at the Footprint Center is set for 10 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we look at the Pelicans vs. Suns odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Phoenix handled business in a 110-99 win versus NOLA Sunday in Game 1, but barely covered as 10-point closing favorites. Suns’ future Hall of Fame PG Chris Paul went nuclear in the fourth quarter, scoring 19 of his 30 points in the final frame on 7-of-8 shooting (3-for-4 from behind the arc).
The Suns are 6-2 straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) versus the Pelicans since acquiring CP3 in 2020. One of Phoenix’s SU and ATS losses to NOLA was earlier this year when Paul was out with an injury.
Pelicans at Suns odds and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:50 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Pelicans +420 (bet $100 to win $420) | Suns -600 (bet $600 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Pelicans +9.5 (-110) | Suns -9.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 221.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
Pelicans at Suns key injuries
Pelicans
- None
Suns
- None
[tipico]
Pelicans at Suns picks and predictions
Prediction
Suns 112, Pelicans 106
Money line
PASS with a “lean” toward the Pelicans (+420) because the payout is so fat and I like NOLA to cover the spread.
After getting stomped in the first half of Game 1, the Pelicans rallied back to within 6 points of the Suns and shot 54.3% from the field in the second half.
Furthermore, I don’t think the Pelicans get swept because their edge in the rebounding battle is big enough for NOLA to steal at least one game. The Pelicans have a plus-3.4 rebound-per-game margin and were plus-20 in rebounds versus the Suns for Game 1.
PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!
Against the spread
BET the PELICANS +9.5 (-110) because of their aforementioned edge on the glass and there’s reverse line movement (RLM) headed toward NOLA in the betting market.
According to Pregame.com, more than 85% of the action is on the Suns -9.5 (-110), but Phoenix has been lowered from a 10-point opening favorite. It’s sketchy when the sportsbooks make the more popular side cheaper.
The RLM is more suspect in this matchup considering Phoenix was in control of Game 1 from the opening tip and was up as many as 23 points.
Also, I like NOLA’s chances at winning two of the “four factors” such as rebounding and free-throw attempt margins.
If NOLA can be more aggressive at attacking the basket and convert more on second-chance opportunities then the PELICANS +9.5 (-110) should cash.
Over/Under
PASS with a “lean” toward the Under 221.5 (-115) since the Pelicans are 9-24 O/U as road underdogs and the Suns are 0-6 O/U in their last 6 games.
Also, there’s more money on the Under but more bets have been placed on the Over, according to Pregame.com. This suggests the professional bettors are on the Under since sharps wager more money than your average Joe.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional NBA sports coverage:
HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | LeBron Wire | Lonzo Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]