Pelicans vs Suns Picks and Predictions: McCollum Gets Right

The New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns sparked a new rivalry with their chippy playoff series in April — and the two teams face off tonight at Footprint Center in the latest installment.

In fact, this is their third meeting within the last two weeks, and the Pelicans (18-10) have the bragging rights so far with two wins. But New Orleans, briefly in top spot in the West, is sputtering a little after back-to-back losses to the Utah Jazz this week.

It’s been a forgettable December for the Suns (17-12), but Thursday’s 111-95 victory over a depleted L.A. Clippers team snapped a five-game losing run, with Devin Booker returning after sitting out the prior two games.

Find out more in our free Pelicans vs. Suns NBA picks and predictions for tonight’s showdown.

Pelicans vs Suns best odds

Pelicans vs Suns picks and predictions

The Zion Williamson effect has been so powerful this season in sparking the Pelicans’ rise up the Western Conference standings that it has papered over some of his teammates’ struggles. 

A case in point: CJ McCollum has had a wildly inconsistent year so far, with his jumper blowing hot and cold on the way to 40% shooting from the field (a real dip for this master of the mid-range) and just 33% from 3-point range.

But there have been encouraging signs of McCollum turning the corner over the past week. He drilled 11 of his 25 shots against the Jazz on Thursday in a 28-point outing and produced a 29-point, seven-assist night in the win over the Suns last weekend.

With Phoenix likely to throw double teams at Williamson when he gets deep post position, McCollum should get plenty of open looks and clear driving lanes tonight. Look for Willie Green to run actions that keep the long-armed Mikal Bridges away from McCollum as much as possible.

I like the New Orleans guard to continue his improved play here –—he should get up 15 or more field goal attempts and this prop doesn’t even require an elite scoring night. McCollum is averaging almost six assists a game and will have the ball in his hands early and often.

My best bet: CJ McCollum Over 23.5 points + assists (-120) 

Pelicans vs Suns spread analysis

The Pelicans got the better of the Suns in both games this month, with the second meeting going to overtime before New Orleans prevailed 129-124. Those matchups took place at Smoothie King Center – and I expect Phoenix to respond here on its home floor to cover a 3.5-point spread. This is the type of matchup where Monty Williams’ team needs to bring its A-game and banish some of the question marks around its NBA Finals prospects.

While the Pelicans have covered the spread in their last four games against teams with a winning record, it’s a big ask to beat the same team three times in such a short space of time. New Orleans is also 1-9 ATS in its last 10 Saturday games.

Deandre Ayton’s absence presents challenges for Phoenix in keeping Williamson out of the paint, but I’m counting on the Suns backcourt stepping up and an up-and-down bench unit having one of its better nights.

Pelicans vs Suns Over/Under analysis

While the Pelicans are still without Brandon Ingram, these two teams are packed with reliable scorers. Williamson is on a tear, scoring 25 or more in his last eight games and leading the way with 31 points as New Orleans poured in 129 points in Thursday’s overtime loss in Utah. The visitors are sitting in the Top 5 in points per game while shooting 48% from the field.

With Booker and Paul reunited in the backcourt, I expect Phoenix’s offense to soon join the Pelicans in the Top 5. Booker struggled with his shot against the Clippers (6-for-22 from the field) after dealing with a hamstring injury this week, but the Suns still shot 46% on Thursday night.

The hosts’ offense looks a bit different with Bismack Biyombo at center, but that should just mean more touches for Bridges, who’s had two 27-point performances in his last three games. Given some of the Pelicans’ shaky defensive possessions in Utah this week, look for Paul to get the better of his battle with playoff nemesis Jose Alvarado and keep New Orleans off balance in the halfcourt.

All the numbers point to the Over tonight, which has hit in the Pelicans’ last four games against a team with a winning SU record and in the Suns’ last four games following a SU win.

Pelicans vs Suns betting trend to know

The Pelicans still have something to prove on their travels against the top-tier Finals contenders. They’re 1-6 ATS in their last seven road games against a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Suns.

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