Phoenix Suns (22-18) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (25-17)
January 19, 2024 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: New Orleans Pelicans -2.5; Over/Under: +235
(Get latest betting odds)
The Phoenix Suns travel to the Smoothie King Center to battle the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. Here’s a Suns vs Pelicans Prediction.
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are starting to heat up now as they’ve won eight of their last 11 games overall and they will be eager to build on their current three-game win streak after outlasting the Kings in a 119-117 home win on Tuesday. Grayson Allen drained nine 3-pointers to lead the way with 29 points, Kevin Durant added 27 points on seven of 16 shooting while Devin Booker chipped in with 16 points and 11 assists. As a team, the Suns shot 49 percent from the field and 17 of 37 from the 3-point line as they got off to a poor start and trailed by as many as 22 points, before they rallied back in the second half and stole the game thanks to Kevin Durant who made the game-winning free throws with just 1.1 seconds left on the clock. The Suns will meet the Pacers after this one.
Phoenix Suns Team Facts
- The Suns have lost each of their last 11 games as road underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The Suns have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games as underdogs following a home win.
- Each of the Suns’ last 11 games at Smoothie King Center have gone OVER the total points line.
New Orleans Pelicans
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have been in similar shape as they’ve won eight of their last 11 games and they will be looking to stay hot after making light work of the slumping Hornets in a 132-112 home win on Wednesday. Brandon Ingram led the team with a triple-double of 28 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists, CJ McCollum added 22 points with six assists while Jordan Hawkins chipped in with 21 points off the bench. As a team, the Pelicans shot 50 percent from the field and a sizzling 25 of 47 from the 3-point line as they set the tone with 43 points in the first quarter, before they dominated the second half by 66-51 to make it a complete blowout in the end.
New Orleans Pelicans Team Facts
- The Pelicans have lost three of their last four games as favorites when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Pelicans have covered the spread in each of their last six home games following a home win.
- Each of the last 11 games between the Suns and Pelicans at Smoothie King Center have gone OVER the total points line.
Suns vs Pelicans Prediction
The Suns are still a little shorthanded with Bol Bol and Yuta Watanabe both out, while the Pelicans are coming into this one with a full squad once again. The Suns have looked like a different team over their past 11 games or so and they would’ve taken plenty of confidence from their thrilling win over the Kings on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Pelicans have been playing some of their best basketball of the season and they made it look easy agaisnt the Hornets on Wednesday. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Suns pulled off the minor upset on the road, but the Pelicans have been the team in better form recently and I think they get the win at home where they’ve won three of their last four.
