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The New Orleans Pelicans (4-18) welcome the Phoenix Suns (12-8) to Smoothie King Center Thursday. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Suns vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Pelicans won 2-1 last season
The Suns beat the San Antonio Spurs 104-93 Tuesday, closing as 7-point home favorites. G Devin Booker scored a game-high 29 points. Phoenix has won 2 straight and 3 of its last 4, a streak that is coming on the back of 5 straight losses. It is 5-5 against the spread (ATS) in its last 10 and 8-12 ATS on the season.
The Pelicans have lost 9 straight games and are coming off a 124-112 defeat at the Atlanta Hawks Monday, closing as 9-point underdogs. They are 0-6 straight up (SU) and 3-3 ATS in their last 6 games. New Orleans has been led this season by F Brandon Ingram, who is averaging 22.9 points per game, but is questionable for Thursday with a calf injury. The Pelicans are 7-15 ATS on the season.
Suns at Pelicans odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated at 12:17 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Suns -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Pelicans +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Against the spread: Suns -2.5 (-115) | Pelicans +2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 222.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Suns at Pelicans key injuries
Suns
- F Kevin Durant (ankle) out
- C Jusuf Nurkic (thigh) out
Pelicans
- G Jose Alvarado (hamstring) out
- G Jordan Hawkins (back) out
- F Brandon Ingram (calf) questionable
- F Herbert Jones (shoulder) questionable
- F Zion Williamson (hamstring) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Suns at Pelicans picks and predictions
Prediction
Pelicans 111, Suns 108
Moneyline
BET PELICANS (+125).
New Orleans may not have Williamson, but it did get back G CJ McCollum and G Dejounte Murray recently. Despite struggling to win as of late, in its last 3 home games, it has a 4-point loss to the Golden State Warriors, a 26-point loss to the Toronto Raptors and a 5-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. It also beat the Denver Nuggets 101-94 Nov. 15 as a 2-point home underdog.
The Pelicans are 3-1 ATS in their last 4 home games and should have the firepower to keep pace with Phoenix, which will be without its top scoring option in Durant. The Suns are just 1-2 ATS and 0-3 SU in their last 3 road games, including losses at the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings.
Considering the marginal spread, the ATS records carry some weight. Given how New Orleans has faired ATS at home and the Suns’ road struggles, back PELICANS (+125).
Against the spread
PASS.
With the size of the spread and the above prediction, the odds are better on the ML, and that’s the preferred play here.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 222.5 (-110).
The Suns have gone Under in 5 of their last 8 games and in 2 straight. They have held opponents to 105 or fewer points in 3 of their last 4 games.
The Pelicans are 1-5 O/U in their last 6 games. Their offense has scored 112 or fewer points in every game since Nov. 6 and 93 or fewer in 2 of their last 4.
Play UNDER 222.5 (-110).
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