The New Orleans Pelicans have won three of their last four games and look to continue the momentum in Phoenix against the surprising Suns.
The 2019 season started off dreadful for theNew Orleans Pelicansafter a promising 5-0 preseason that got everyone excited for what was to come this season. WithoutZion Williamson, the Pelicans stumbled out of the gate and battled more injuries than any other team other than the Golden State Warriors.
However, the Pelicans have been playing better of late despite the injury battle and are actually riding a two-game winning streak. The Pelicans have won three of their last four games and four of their five wins on the season have come in the last six games.
New Orleans has two really good wins under its belt as well, defeating both the Portland Trailblazers inCarmelo Anthony‘s season debut and the Los Angeles Clippers inPaul George‘s season debut.
More fromBig Easy Believer
- New Orleans Saints: Three biggest questions heading into the offseason
- New Orleans Saints: Three positives to take from playoff loss
- New Orleans Pelicans: Betting guide vs. Sacramento Kings
- New Orleans Saints: Bold predictions for Wild Card Round vs. Vikings
- New Orleans Pelicans: Betting guide in Los Angeles Lakers rematch
Granted,Damian LillardandKawhi Leonardwere out in both of those contests, making things a bit easier for the Pelicans.
Regardless, the Pelicans look to continue that momentum if they want any hopes of contending for the eighth-seed in the Western Conference and are tasked with the surprising Phoenix Suns on Thursday.
The Suns have been much better than anyone outside of Phoenix would have guessed so far this year. They are seventh in the Western Conference with a 7-6 record. Not a red-hot start, but definitely surprising.
The Suns are the favorites in this game as the home team and according to the Action Network, Phoenix is 4.5-point favorites over New Orleans in this contest. As we have (unsuccessfully) tried to do with the rest of the games this year, here is our against the spread prediction for this matchup.
Against the spread prediction (Record: 4-7-1): New Orleans Pelicans +4.5
The Phoenix Suns are also battling injuries and I think that will be the difference in this game. 2019 standoutAron Baynesis out and with DeAndre Ayton still serving his suspension, the Suns will not have as big of an advantage down low as they could have had withDerrick FavorsandJahlil Okaforlikely missing the game.
Ricky Rubiois doubtful, which is a huge loss for a Suns’ offense that needs an actual point guard, andFrank Kaminskyis probable. Even if he plays, the fact that he is not 100 percent helps the Pelicans with their usual size disadvantage.
All in all, I think this game is going to be a shootout betweenBrandon IngramandJrue HolidayversusDevin Booker. Two is greater than one and that is why I will take the Pelicans and the points despite them being on the road.
Too bad most fans probably won’t watch much of this game as it starts at 9:30. Don’t worry, when you wake up on Sunday you will see that the Pelicans got the job done.
Add us as a preferred source onGoogleLoading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations