Suns vs Pelicans Prediction & Picks (Dec. 11): Should you back New Orleans to pick up seventh straight win?

Are Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans a legitimate Western Conference title contender? That remains up for debate, but for now, the Pelicans could not be any hotter. And they will look to keep that hot streak this afternoon by going by beating the Phoenix Suns at the Smoothie King Center for the second time in three days.

On Friday night, a season-high 35 points from by Zion helped lead New Orleans to a 128-117 win over Phoenix.

The win was punctuated by a ferocious, highlight-reel dunk by Zion in the final seconds, which the Suns were none too pleased about given that the game was already in hand.

The Suns weren’t happy with Zion’s windmill dunk at the end of the game ? pic.twitter.com/N2NyLb2q9b

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 10, 2022

Will lingering tension spur Phoenix on to a victory in the rematch? Or will New Orleans hand them a fourth straight loss? Read on for our Suns vs Pelicans prediction and picks, as well as our favorite Phoenix vs New Orleans player props.

Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Phoenix Suns (16-10, 4-7 away, 4th in the Western Conference) vs New Orleans Pelicans (17-8, 11-3 home, 1st in the Western Conference)
• Venue & Location: Smoothie King Center (New Orleans, Louisiana)
• Date: Sunday, December 11, 2022
• Game Time: 3:30 pm ET (2:30 pm local time)

Suns vs Pelicans Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Sunday, December 11, 2022, at 2:00 am ET. This article may also include odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites.

Spread

• Phoenix Suns +3 (-108)
• New Orleans Pelicans -3 (-112)

Over/Under

• n/a

Moneyline

• Phoenix Suns +124
• New Orleans Pelicans -146

Will Dreadful December Continue for Phoenix?

Entering the final month of 2022, the Suns were riding high with a six-game win streak and a lofty place in the Western Conference standings.

Now, they are on the opposite end of the form spectrum. Through five games this month, a 38-point win over the San Antonio Spurs last Sunday stands as their only win.

Their last three losses are all by double digits, a 19-point loss at Dallas last Monday, a 27-point loss at home against Boston on Wednesday, and Friday’s 11-point loss in New Orleans.

It is the Suns’ first three-game losing streak since January 2021, when they lost to the Denver Nuggets in overtime on consecutive days then lost at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder four days later.

The sooner Devin Booker can shoot his way out of his current little rut, the better for Phoenix. To end November and begin December, Booker had a three-game stretch in which he made 66.7 percent (52 of 78) of his shots overall and scored 44, 51, and 41 points against the Kings, Bulls, and Rockets.

But things have not been so rosy since.

Last Four Games for Devin Booker

• at San Antonio: 20 points, 7-16 FG, 1-3 3PT
• at Dallas: 11 points, 4-13 FG, 1-2 3PT
• vs Boston: 17 points, 6-17 FG, 1-6 3PT
• at New Orleans: 14 points, 5-17 FG, 2-8 3PT

Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction and Picks

Suns vs Pelicans Prediction: Pelicans to win

Suns vs Pelicans Picks: Pelicans ML & Pelicans to cover

Things could not be going much better for the Pelicans at the moment. Overall, they have won 11 of their last 13 games, and since a 117-109 loss to the Celtics on November 18, they have won six in a row at the Smoothie King Center.

On the flip side, the Suns are not having the best of times on their travels this season, and there are four double-digit losses among their seven road losses thus far.

Phoenix might carry a little extra fire into this one, both with their current skid in mind and the way that Friday’s game ended. But I don’t think it will make a difference in the outcome, and I recommend backing the Pelicans to keep things rolling at home.

Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Player Props

Suns vs Pelicans Player Prop Pick #1: Zion Williamson points + rebounds + assists over

Some movement is likely to occur, but I like this one a lot even if it moves into the low 40s. Over his last six games, Zion’s points + rebounds + assists totals are 39, 48, 53, 35, 44, and 46. In Friday’s win, he had seven rebounds and four assists in addition to his season high in points.

Suns vs Pelicans Player Prop Pick #2: Jonas Valanciunas over 9.5 rebounds

Valanciunas is playing fewer minutes this season (23.5 MPG) than he did last season (30.3 MPG), so his rebounding numbers are understandably down (11.4 RPG last season and 9.2 RPG this season).

But as of late, he is making the most of his time on the court for the most part. After recording 10+ rebounds seven times in his first 16 games this season, he has done so seven times in his last nine games. In Friday’s win, he had 12 points and 10 rebounds in 26 minutes.

You can also back Valanciunas at plus odds to record a double-double, which he has done 11 of out of the 14 times he has had 10+ rebounds this season, including each of the last four times.

Is the over still in play even if the total moves to 10.5? Not with quite the same confidence, but he has grabbed at least 11 boards nine times, so it would still be a solid play at over 10.5.

Explore all NBA Betting News !