Game 5 Best Bet: Pelicans vs. Suns

New Orleans Pelicans (40-48 SU, 45-42-1 ATS) vs. Phoenix Suns (66-20 SU, 46-40-0 ATS)

When: Tuesday April 26 2022, 10:00 PM (ET)

Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona

TV: BSNO

Point Spread: NOP +6.5/PHX -6.5 (Opened PHX -7 at BetOnline – Bitcoin payouts are usually less than an hour here!)

Total: 215.5 (Opened at 216)

Money Line: New Orleans Pelicans 211/Phoenix Suns -260

Power Rating: PHX -5

Probable Starting Lineups

Phoenix Suns PG Chris Paul, SG Landry Shamet, SF Mikal Bridges, PF Jae Crowder, C Deandre Ayton

New Orleans Pelicans PG C.J. McCollum, SG Herb Jones, SF Brandon Ingram, PF Jaxson Hayes Off Inj, C Jonas Valanciunas

Key Injuries

New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson: Foot (OUT)
Kira Lewis Jr.: Knee (OUT)

Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker: Hamstring (OUT)
Dario Saric: Knee (OUT)

The Phoenix Suns host the New Orleans Pelicans in a Western-Conference matchup. Tip-off is set for 10:00 PM ET at the Footprint Center.

Recent Form

The New Orleans Pelicans come into this game with an overall record of 36-46, placing them 9th in the Western Conference. Throughout the season, New Orleans has struggled in their 44 road contests, sitting at 19-25. Over their last five games, the Pelicans have played well, picking up 3 wins. In this stretch, New Orleans’s offense is scoring right in line with their season average, putting up 112.0 points per game. Combined, the Pelicans’ last five opponents are giving up 108.0 points per contest. The Pelicans have been picking up wins, while holding opponents to an average of 108.0 points per game, similar to their season average of 110.1. In the New Orleans Pelicans’ most recent game, New Orleans took down Phoenix by a score of 118-103

The Phoenix Suns come into this game with an overall record of 64-18, placing them 1st in the Western Conference. So far, Phoenix is above .500 at home, holding a record of 33-10. Over the Suns’ last five games, they have picked up just 2 wins. In this stretch, Phoenix’s offense is scoring right in line with their season average, putting up 110.0 points per game. Combined, the Suns’ last five opponents are giving up 111.0 points per contest. A key reason for the Suns’ recent struggles is a defensive unit giving up 114.0 points over their last five contests. This figure is up from their season average of 107.6. In the Phoenix Suns’ most recent game, the team fell to New Orleans by a score of 118-103.

Individual Player Analysis

As New Orleans travels to take on the Phoenix Suns, the Pelicans’ leading scorer is CJ McCollum. Through 27 games, McCollum is averaging 24 points. On the season, he has surpassed his season average in 48.0% of his games. As McCollum gets set to take on the Suns, he could be in line for a big game as Phoenix is allowing their opponent’s top scorer to surpass their season average in 53.03% of their games. This figure places them 25th among NBA defenses. On the other side, the Suns will be looking for another big performance from Deandre Ayton, as he is coming off a 23-point performance in game 4. However, if he hopes to add to this total, Ayton will need to do so against a Pelicans defense that has been tough on their opponent’s top scorers. So far, leading scores have surpassed their season average at a rate of just 37.5%. This figure is good for a rank of 1st in the league.

Matchup Analysis

Heading into this matchup, the Phoenix Suns are the more efficient team on both ends of the court. This scenario has taken place in 35 of Phoenix’s 80 games, leading to a winning percentage of 80%. So far, the New Orleans Pelicans have played 19 games as the inferior offensive and defensive unit. In these instances, they have lost 19 times, by an average margin of -17.0 points.

The Historicals

Heading into today’s matchup, the New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns have met up for 8 games. In their last meeting, New Orleans picked up a 118-103 win.

How the Public is Betting the Pelicans vs Suns

67% are betting the Suns against the spread.

52% are wagering on the game to go over the posted total of 215.5

Betting Trends Worth Noting

• Pelicans are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 Conference Quarterfinals games.
• Pelicans are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 road games.
• Suns are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
• Suns are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Conference Quarterfinals games.

Joe’s Pick to Cover the Spread

The Phoenix Suns come into this matchup, looking to get a leg up in this first-round series while still trying to figure out how to win without Devin Booker. In game 3, the team benefited from strong performances from both Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton. However, the Pelicans figured out how to shut down Paul in game 4, holding the point guard to just 4 points in 35 minutes of action. New Orleans needed a strong defensive outing, as they knocked down just 6 three-point shots. If the Pelicans are going to pull off another upset, they will look to once again hold the advantage at the free-throw line. In the previous game, they connected on 32 free throws compared to just 10 for the Suns. However, with the spread sitting at 6.5 points in favor of Phoenix, look for the home team to pick up the win and cover the spread. Question: We’re always baffled as to why more people don’t bet on games at Bovada Sportsbook. They offer a ton of ways to deposit, a 50% real cash bonus on your first deposit up to $500, rebates on ALL your bets (even if they win!), the BEST live betting platform on the web and a HUGE menu of wagering options! Check’em out!