Phoenix Suns (28-8) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (13-24)
January 4, 2022 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: New Orleans Pelicans +6.5; Over/Under: -217.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The New Orleans Pelicans play host to the Phoenix Suns at the Smoothie King Center on Tuesday night.
The Phoenix Suns have been in great shape as they’ve won seven of their past 10 games overall and they will be looking to stay hot after making light work of the Hornets in a 133-99 road win on Sunday. Devin Booker led the team with 24 points, seven rebounds and three assists, Jalen Smith added 19 points with 12 rebounds and two blocks, Landry Shamet provided the spark off the bench with 17 points and four steals while Chris Paul chipped in with seven points and 16 assists. As a team, the Suns shot 50 percent from the field and 17 of 41 from the 3-point line as they dominated right from the start and took a 23-point lead into halftime, which allowed them to rest their starters early in the third quarter.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been in decent shape as they’ve won five of their past eight games, but they will be hoping to snap a two-game skid after getting routed by the Jazz in a 115-104 home loss last night. Jonas Valanciunas led the team with 25 points and nine rebounds, Josh Hart added 15 points with nine rebounds and four assists while Devonte Graham and Herbert Jones each scored 11 points. As a team, the Pelicans shot 40 percent from the field and 12 of 46 from the 3-point line as they fell behind early and just never found their rhythm against the elite defense of the Jazz. Brandon Ingram looked particularly rusty as he finished with just 10 points on three of 18 shooting.
Looking at the betting trends, the Suns are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games against a team with a losing record and 2-5 ATS in their last seven games following a win of more than 10 points. The Pelicans are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games, 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games against a team above .600 and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games playing on zero days’ rest.
Head to head, the over is 7-2 in the last nine meetings overall and the Suns are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings overall.
The Suns will once again be without JaVale McGee, but they’re otherwise at full strength and they will be full of confidence following their dominant win over the Hornets on Sunday. The Pelicans will be relieved to have some key players back including Ingram and Valanciunas, but the lack of continuity in their lineup is really hurting them and I think it will be a factor once again, especially against the well-oiled machine that is the Suns. This could be a close contest, but in the end I have the Suns pulling away for the win and cover in this spot.
