When we looked at the calendar and saw Suns vs Pelicans scheduled for December 9th, it wasn’t a stretch to say this game was going to feature the first place team in the West. Everybody outside the Bayou would’ve assumed that meant Phoenix, but here we are approaching 1/3 of the way into the 2022/23 season and it’s New Orleans atop the conference at 16-8.
Before Betting on Suns vs Pelicans
Friday night’s meeting is for first place in the conference, as Phoenix is having another solid start to the season at 16-9, just 1/2 a game back from the Pelicans.
The Suns welcomed Chris Paul back to the lineup on Wednesday after he was out a month with a heel injury, but it wasn’t pretty as the Celtics came to town and stomped on Phoenix 125-98. Boston was up by as many as 45 points in that game as Phoenix lost for the third time in the last four games.
Usually the Pelicans win with their #5 ranked scoring offense (116.7 ppg) but New Orleans flexed their defensive muscles last time out in a 104-98 win over the Pistons on Wednesday. Defense is a very underrated aspect of this Pelicans squad, but they rank 3rd in defensive efficiency and have picked up the win in 10 of their last 12. The hot start to the season is a surprise for New Orleans, but they don’t look like they’re going anywhere.
Phoenix vs New Orleans NBA Offshore Betting Odds
| Offshore Sportsbook | Moneyline | Total | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetOnline | Suns (1.82) | Pelicans (2.02) | 227 | Suns -2 (1.95) | Pelicans +2 (1.87) |
| Bovada | Suns (1.80) | Pelicans (2.05) | 227 | Suns -2 (1.95) | Pelicans +2 (1.87) |
| BetUS | Suns (OFF) | Pelicans (OFF) | 227 | Suns -1.5 (1.91) | Pelicans +1.5 (1.91) |
| SportsBetting.ag | Suns (1.82) | Pelicans (2.02) | 227 | Suns -2 (1.95) | Pelicans +2 (1.87) |
| Pinnacle | Suns (1.87) | Pelicans (2.03) | 226.5 | Suns -1.5 (1.95) | Pelicans +1.5 (1.95) |
| MyBookie | Suns (1.83) | Pelicans (1.99) | 227 | Suns -1.5 (1.91) | Pelicans +1.5 (1.91) |
Suns vs Pelicans Prediction & Pick
The Pelicans are looking for legitimacy in this game, as they’re home underdogs despite being atop the Western Conference – albeit by a very slim margin over Phoenix. New Orleans’ chances would improve if Brandon Ingram (toe) could play, but the Pelicans have also played five straight without him.
The Suns laid an absolute egg in a “prove it” game against Boston on Wednesday, and although the Suns may pull out a win over New Orleans I’m not going to trust them.
Pick: Pelicans +2
