New Orleans Pelicans (6-29) vs. Washington Wizards (6-26)
January 5, 2025 6:00 pm EDT
The Line: Washington Wizards +4.5; Over/Under: +235.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The New Orleans Pelicans and Washington Wizards meet Sunday in NBA action at the Capital One Arena. Here’s a Washington Wizards vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction. This article will include a Washington Wizards vs New Orleans Pelicans Pick.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The New Orleans Pelicans lost to the Heat, beat the Wizards, and they play the Timberwolves, Trail Blazers, 76ers, and Celtics next. The New Orleans Pelicans are averaging 107.5 points on 44.3 percent shooting and allowing 118.1 points on 48.7 percent shooting. CJ McCollum is averaging 22.7 points and 3.8 rebounds, while Zion Williamson is averaging 22.7 points and 8 rebounds. Brandon Ingram is the third double-digit scorer and Trey Murphy III is grabbing 4.5 rebounds. The New Orleans Pelicans are shooting 33.7 percent from beyond the arc and 76.8 percent from the free throw line. The New Orleans Pelicans are allowing 37.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 42.4 rebounds per game.
Washington Wizards Betting Preview
The Washington Wizards lost to the Pelicans, beat the Bulls, and they play the Rockets, 76ers, and Bulls next. The Washington Wizards are averaging 109.3 points on 44.6 percent shooting and allowing 122.3 points on 47.4 percent shooting. Jordan Poole is averaging 21.8 points and 2.7 rebounds, while Kyle Kuzma is averaging 14.5 points and 2.1 assists. Malcolm Brogdon is the third double-digit scorer, and Bilal Coulibaly is grabbing 5.5 rebounds. The Washington Wizards are shooting 33.2 percent from beyond the arc and 77.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Washington Wizards are allowing 35.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.1 rebounds per game.
Why the Washington Wizards will win
- The Pelicans have lost each of their last 15 road games.
- The Wizards have won three of their last four games as home underdogs following a loss.
- The Pelicans have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six games as favorites following a win.
- The Wizards have covered the spread in each of their last four home games against Pelicans teams that held a losing record.
Why the New Orleans Pelicans will win
- The Wizards have lost each of their last 11 games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The favorites have won each of the Pelicans’ last 12 games.
- The Wizards have failed to cover the spread in each of their last six home games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The road team has covered the spread in four of the last five games between the Pelicans and Wizards.
Washington Wizards Player Facts
- Alex Sarr ranks 6th amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (1.7) this season.
- Carlton Carrington has recorded five games with 5+ assists and zero turnovers this season – equal most of any player in the league.
New Orleans Pelicans Player Facts
- Trey Murphy III ranks 2nd amongst qualified Forwards for FT% (90.6%) this season.
- Yves Missi ranks T8th in the league for second-chance points (104) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Wizards rank 30th in the league for opponent points per game this season (122.2).
- The Wizards rank 30th in the league for point differential per game this season (-13.0).
- The Pelicans rank 30th in the league for opponent field goal percentage this season (48.7%).
- The New Orleans Pelicans are the only team to lose a home game against the Raptors this season.
Washington Wizards vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction
This line is rather surprising when you consider the Pelicans just beat up on the Wizards Friday night. Sure, this time the game is in Washington, but who cares. The Wizards are 5-12 SU at home. That was a much-needed confidence boost win for the Pelicans. Jose Alvarado is back in the mix and McCollum is coming off a 50-point performance. The Wizards are terrible, and they’re 12-19-1 ATS on the season despite being big dogs time and time again. Even with a 1-15 SU record on the road, the Pelicans have to be feeling better given what happened Friday night. I’ll lay the points.
