New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns Prediction, Picks and Props December 9
New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns Betting Preview
WagerTalk NBA handicapper Andy Lang offers his predictions and player props for tonight’s New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns showdown from the Smoothie King Center. Both the Pelicans and Suns are first place in their respective divisions.
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New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns Betting Odds
| Friday, December 9 | NBA Betting Notes, Courtesy of Caesars |
|---|---|
| Point Spread: | New Orleans Pelicans +1.5 vs Phoenix Suns |
| Total: | 228 Points |
| Arena: | Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA |
| Game Time: | 8:30pm ET / 5:30pm PT |
| TV: | Bally Sports Arizona |
New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns Betting Analysis
In a showdown between the two top teams in the Western Conference, the Phoenix Suns travel to New Orleans for a showdown with the Pelicans. The Pelicans improved to 16-9 on the season after holding off the Detroit Pistons 104-98 on Wednesday night.
The Suns were on the wrong side of a blowout in a 125-98 stinker against the Boston Celtics. This will be the second of four regular season meetings, New Orleans came out on top 124-111 on the road on October 28th.
They will be playing back-to-back games in New Orleans with the third game of the series on Friday, they will wrap it on Saturday December 17th in Phoenix. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 PM EST/5:30 PST from the Smoothie King Center.
Suns Set On Setting Down
The Phoenix Suns record dipped to 16-9 after losing two straight losses, 130-111 to the Dallas and 125-98 to the Boston Celtics. The game against Boston wasn’t even that close as Phoenix trailed by 27 at halftime and by as many as 45 in the 3rd quarter.
In his return to action, Chris Paul finished with four points, four rebounds, 4 assists and 4 fouls while sitting out the 4th quarter as the game got out of hand. Devin Booker led all Suns starters with 17 points while Josh Okogie led Phoenix with a career best 28 points of the bench.
“It feels like the game should count as two losses, but good thing it is still only one.” Devin Booker said. The Suns rank 7th in scoring with 115.8 points a game on 47.6% from the floor.
They are also a top ten defense that ranks 8th in scoring with 109.9 points allowed on 46.5% shooting. Foward Cam Johnson and guard Duane Washington Jr have both been ruled out for this contest.
Pelicans Soar to Fifth Straight Victory
The New Orleans improved to 16-8 on the season after winning their fifth straight game 104-98 against the lowly Detroit Pistons. Zion Williamson led all scorers with 29 points on an impressive 11-16 from the field to go along with 10 rebounds.
Trey Murphy III added 20 points and Jonas Valanciunas had a 14 point 12 rebound double-double. The Pels are currently playing without Brandon Ingram who has missed the last five games with a toe injury.
New Orleans beat Detroit despite losing the battle in shooting percentage, free throw percentage and turnovers. The Pelicans rank 5th in scoring with 116.7 points a game on 48.4% from the floor. Williamson is averaging an impressive 28 points and 9.8 rebounds on 65% from the field in his last five games.
New Orleans also ranks 6th in defensive scoring with only 109.8 points allowed per game. Small fowards Brandon Ingram (toe) and Herbert Jones (ankle) have both been ruled out for this contest. Point guard Jose Alvarado is questionable for the game with a rib injury.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns Player Prop Prediction
The Phoenix Suns are two point road favorites with a total of 227.5. There will be plenty of eyes on this game between the two top teams in the Western Conference. It’s also a rematch of last seasons thrilling playoff series where New Orleans pushed Phoenix to six games despite playing without their superstar Zion Williamson.
While researching this game, I came across some interesting first basket stats. Phoenix has a tremendous advantage in winning the opening tip and taking the first shot. The Suns have won 16-25 tips (64%) and taking first shot in 14-25 games (56%).
Meanwhile the Pelicans have won the tip-off in only 11-24 games (46%) and hit first shot in 10-24 games (42%). Devin Booker & De’Andre Ayton are tied for the teams lead in first basket with three each and both have taken two first shots. Ayton odds are set at +340 and Booker is +450.
Let’s place a half unit on each to get an amazing profit if one hits. I’m fully expecting Ayton to win the opening tip and then we have the two of the Suns most active shooters to get the job done with some great plus money.
First Basket Prediction: De’Andre Ayton +340 & Devin Booker +450 (half unit on each)
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NBA Tip-Off Show | December 9
Join Joe Raineri and a rotating panel of professional handicappers for the NBA Tip-Off Show as we preview tonight’s NBA card from a betting perspective. We’ll go well beyond the New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns. Stay up-to-date on the latest NBA news, stats, analysis, and predictions with our panel of pro sports bettors as they offer some of their favorite NBA best bets, player props and DFS recommendations on tonight’s slate.
NBA Free Picks
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WagerTalk’s Live Odds Screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the NBA point spreads, totals and betting percentages for all of this week’s NBA action, including this New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns showdown, from your desktop or phone.
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Meet the Author
Andy Lang has lived in Indianapolis his whole life, and like most people from the Hoosier State, he became fascinated with motor sports. That interest in motor sports turned into a desire to make money off the sport through fantasy contests and sports betting. Like most, he took his lumps when he first got started, but now he is one of the most respected NASCAR bettors in the industry. Andy has expanded that sports betting experience to become profitable in a number of other sports, transforming this interest from a side hobby to a major source of income.
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