Friday’s game between the Phoenix Suns and the New Orleans Pelicans is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET at the Smoothie King Centre in New Orleans. As part of the NBA’s seven-game schedule, this encounter is the first in their head-to-head series. The Pelicans (25-17) are fifth in the West after a historic performance by Brandon Ingram helped them defeat the Charlotte Hornets 132-112 on Thursday. With seven to eleven three-pointers, he finished with a triple-double of 28-10-10. That was the first time a player had those stats in Pelicans history.
With a three-game winning run, the Suns (22-18) sit sixth in the Western Conference. With a combined 58 points from Grayson Allen and Kevin Durant, they overcame a 22-point hole to defeat the Sacramento Kings 119-117 at home on Wednesday.
After 72 games between the Suns and Pelicans, the Suns have a 38-34 advantage.
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Previews, predictions, and betting advice for the Phoenix Suns vs. New Orleans Pelicans game
Suns (+120) vs. Pelicans (-130) is the money line.
Spread: Pelicans (-2.5) vs. Suns (+2.5)
Suns (O 236.5) vs. Pelicans (U 236.5) total (O/U)
Preview of the Phoenix Suns vs. New Orleans Pelicans
In their last ten games, the Pelicans have won seven of them. They have an outstanding 128.4 offensive rating and a plus 13.2 net rating during this time, which is followed by a 115.3 defensive rating.
For the Pelicans, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson have been indispensable players. With 50% of his shots coming from three, Ingram is averaging 22.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. Here at home, Williamson is averaging 21.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists while shooting 60.2% from the field and 50% from three.
In their last ten games, the Suns have won seven of them. They have an excellent road record of 10-7, which is noteworthy. With a 13-8 record, the Pelicans have proven to be formidable at home.
Starting lineups for the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans
Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, Kevin Durant, and Jusuf Nurkic will start at point guard, small forward, and centre for the Suns. The starting lineup for the Pelicans will be Jonas Valanciunas at centre, Herbert Jones at SG, Brandon Ingram at SF, Zion Williamson at PF, and CJ McCollum at PG.
Tips for betting on Phoenix Suns vs. New Orleans Pelicans
With 28.9 points per game, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists, Kevin Durant leads the Suns in scoring. His point projection is over/under 25.5, and he has a good chance of hitting or exceeding it. Together with 26.2 ppg, 4.2 RPG, and 7.8 ppg, Booker leads the Suns in assists. His over/under point prop is set at 24.5. He has a good chance of matching or exceeding his point prop.
Forecasts for the Phoenix Suns vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Because both teams have played well lately and have similar records coming into this game, it is expected to be a closely contested battle. With a season rating of +147, Devin Booker has had a significant role in leading the team’s offence, which currently ranks 117.7 (12th) in the league. Even though they are the underdogs in this game, Bradley Beal’s return to the starting lineup should help the Suns score and reach their season average.
Herbert Jones, who is ranked 113.4 (ninth) in the league in defence, is anticipated to guard Durant and Booker on many plays. To win, the Pelicans would have to play their finest defence and keep the trio’s output below what it has this season.
Given that the Cresent City will be playing the Valley of the Sun, this game is sure to be challenging. Phoenix has a lot of momentum, but the Pelicans are sixth in the Western Conference and ahead of the Suns by a.45 %. They have a healthy roster and are currently riding a three-game winning streak, making them a dangerous foe for any club in the league. Nonetheless, after ten games, both teams have an identical record of seven victories and three defeats, demonstrating their strength as a unit. Speaking of squads, would Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant take on the New Orleans Pelicans and lead their side to victory?
The Suns’ dangerous threesome will take on the Pelicans tonight.
The Phoenix Suns have a perfectly healthy roster except for Bol Bol, who has missed the previous two games due to a foot injury. Devin Booker, Grayson Allen, and Jusuf Nurkic will be playing alongside both of their stars, Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant. With the team largely healthy, the Suns aim to continue winning and move up in the challenging Western Conference.
With an average of 28.9 points per game, KD leads the Suns in scoring. The Pelicans will face danger from his potent offensive arsenal. In addition to his offensive ability, Booker leads the team in assists per game (7.2), demonstrating his outstanding basketball IQ.
The Phoenix Suns (22-18, 8th in the Western Conference) are riding a three-game winning streak when they play the Pelicans (25-17, 5th in the Western Conference) in their first meeting of the season tonight in New Orleans. The last time these two teams played was on December 17, 2022, a highly memorable game in which Devin Booker scored 58 points and the Suns overcame a 24-point deficit to win 118-114.
With only Josh Okogie and Booker in the starting lineup from this game, Phoenix now has a whole different appearance. Both clubs have won eight of their eleven games and both boast Big 3 players. Overall, this could be a highly interesting game because the Suns defeated the Sacramento Kings with a 22-point comeback on Tuesday, and the Pelicans defeated the Hornets with a record-setting 25 three-pointers on Wednesday.
Phoenix Suns injury report:
Bol Bol (right foot discomfort) OUT | Damion Lee (surgeon for a repaired meniscus) OUT
Matt Ryan of the New Orleans Pelicans (right elbow surgery) and Cody Zellar (mask) are out. ACCESSIBLE
Initials (Estimated)
Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, Kevin Durant, and Jusuf Nurkić are the Phoenix Suns players.
Herb Jones, Jonas Valanciunas, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and CJ McCollum are the members of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Suns’ Five Crucial Game Elements
1. Carrying over from the previous match
2. Prevent them from getting hot free 3-point range.
3. Reducing Zion Williamson’s speed
4. Reducing exchange rates
5. Establishing a cadence
Forecast Phoenix Suns 110 – Pelicans 113
Given where both teams are at the moment, this game could end up being back and forth the entire evening and among the most competitive of the entire season. I think this game will go down to the wire, but the Pelicans have the advantage simply because they play at home and are a superior defensive club than the Kings. With Kevin Durant in their starting lineup to guard Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, the Suns lack the height and length that the Pelicans possess to limit their offensive potential.
In addition, New Orleans has been blazing hot from beyond the arc, shooting 43.7% in its previous 11 games (the highest percentage in the NBA), and the Suns have recently had trouble stopping the 3-point line. It’s difficult to pick Phoenix on the road against a team full of stars that have had more continuity than them, but it doesn’t mean they can’t improve on their past game and probably will.
Phoenix Suns & New Orleans Pelicans Final Outing
The Phoenix Suns (22-18) defeated the Sacramento Kings (23-18) 119-117 at home on Tuesday night, their greatest victory of the year, after trailing 22 with just over eight minutes remaining. After being jeered by the home fans for the first three quarters, Phoenix managed to overcome its problems in the fourth quarter and end the game with a 32-8 lead.
With nine triples, Grayson Allen tied the Suns franchise record and his career high for the second time in eleven days. He finished with 29 points, six assists, and five rebounds. In the fourth quarter, Kevin Durant scored fifteen of his twenty-seven points. Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Eric Gordon, Allen, and Durant were the small lineup that Phoenix used to win the game. Booker finished with 16 points and 11 assists for a double-double. Jusuf Nurkić contributed 15 rebounds and 10 points.
The Charlotte Hornets (8-30) were defeated 132-112 at home on Wednesday night by the New Orleans Pelicans (25-17), who rode a strong shooting night and a standout performance from Brandon Ingram. The Pelicans collectively made 25 3-pointers (25-of-47 overall), setting a franchise record.
For the third time this season, Ingram finished with 28 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds. After making seven 3-pointers, he also tied a lifetime high. With 42 made baskets and 32 assists in the end, New Orleans showed superb ball sharing. Both CJ McCollum (22 points) and Jordan Hawkins (21 points) scored over 20 points in the victory. Trey Murphy contributed eighteen points off the bench, while Zion Williamson finished with thirteen points and nine assists.