Pelicans vs. Suns Game 1 Odds & Pick ATS

New Orleans Pelicans (38-46 SU, 43-40-1 ATS) vs. Phoenix Suns (64-18 SU, 44-38-0 ATS)
When: Sunday April 17 2022, 09:00 PM (ET)
Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona
TV: BSNO

Point Spread: NOP +10.5/PHX -10.5 (Opened at PHX -10.5)
Total: 224 (Opened at 226.5)
Money Line: New Orleans Pelicans 443/Phoenix Suns -608
Power Rating: PHX -11

Probable Starting Lineups

New Orleans Pelicans PG C.J. McCollum, SG Brandon Ingram, SF Herb Jones, PF Jaxson Hayes, C Jonas Valanciunas
Phoenix Suns PG Chris Paul, SG Devin Booker, SF Mikal Bridges, PF Jae Crowder, C Deandre Ayton

Key Injuries

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

Phoenix Suns Landry Shamet: Foot (QUESTIONABLE) Cameron Payne: Knee (PROBABLE) Dario Saric: Knee (OUT)

The Phoenix Suns host the New Orleans Pelicans in a Western-Conference matchup. Tip-off is set for 09:00 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 42 road contests, sitting at 18-24. Over their last five games, the Pelicans have played well, picking up 3 wins. During this stretch, New Orleans is averaging 113.0 points per game, 4.0 points more than their season average of 109.3. This uptick in offensive play has come while playing a group of opponents who are collectively giving up 110.0 points per contest. The Pelicans have been picking up wins while holding opponents to an average of 113.0 points per game, similar to their season average of 110.1. In the New Orleans Pelicans’ most recent game, New Orleans took down the LA Clippers by a score of 105-101

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 32-9. 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 109.0 points per game. Combined, the Suns’ last five opponents are giving up 112.0 points per contest. A key reason for the Suns’ recent struggles is a defensive unit giving up 112.0 points over their last five contests. This figure is up from their season average of 107.3. In the Phoenix Suns’ most recent game, the team fell to Sacramento by a score of 116-109.

Individual Player Analysis

As New Orleans travels to take on the Phoenix Suns, the Pelicans’ leading scorer is CJ McCollum. Through 26 games, McCollum is averaging 24 points. On the season, he has surpassed his season average in 50.0% 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 51.43% of their games. This figure places them 20nd among NBA defenses. On the other side, Devin Booker leads the Suns in scoring, averaging 26 points across his 78 games. Throughout the season, Booker has outscored his season average in 49.0% of his outings. Given that New Orleans’s defense has struggled to slow down their opponent’s top scorers, Devin Booker should be in line for a big performance. So far, the Pelicans have allowed their opponent’s top scorer to surpass their season average in 52.46% of their games, giving them a rank of 22nd among NBA defenses.

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 33 of Phoenix’s 79 games, leading to a winning percentage of 82%. So far, the New Orleans Pelicans have played 21 games as the inferior offensive and defensive unit. In these instances, they have lost 21 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 4 games. In their last meeting, Phoenix picked up a 131-115 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 224

Betting Trends Worth Noting

• Pelicans are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Conference Quarterfinals games.
• Pelicans are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 playoff games as an underdog.
• Suns are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Conference Quarterfinals games.
• Suns are 13-5 ATS in their last 18 playoff games as a favorite.

Joe’s Pick to Cover the Spread

In the first game of the 1/8 matchup in the Western Conference, the New Orleans Pelicans travel to take on the Phoenix Suns. New Orleans enters the game as 11-point road underdogs. Looking at these two teams’ profiles, it is tough to find an area that the Pelicans can exploit. During the regular season, the Suns were one of the most efficient scoring teams, posting the 4th best effective field goal percentage (54.9%). On the other side, the Pelicans’ opponents hit 36% of their three-point field goal shots, placing New Orleans 26th in the league. Even with a large spread, look for the Suns to kick off their playoff run with an easy win that covers the spread.