Suns vs Pelicans Picks and Predictions: Zion's Impact Felt Friday

The top two seeds in the Western Conference square off tonight as the New Orleans Pelicans host the Phoenix Suns at Smoothie King Center.

The Pelicans (16-8) are riding a five-game win streak and look every inch a contender as long as Zion Williamson stays healthy. 

For the most part, the Suns (16-9) have dealt admirably with rough injury luck this season. But the Boston Celtics ruined Chris Paul’s return with a blowout road win, prompting fresh questions about Phoenix’s playoff ceiling.

Read on for our free Suns vs Pelicans NBA picks and predictions for Friday, December 9.

Suns vs Pelicans best odds

Suns vs Pelicans picks and predictions

What a difference a year makes. After spending the 2021/22 season on the sidelines, Zion Williamson has been making up for lost time, and the Pelicans’ winning run starts with his consistent scoring and ability to power his way to the rim.

He keeps raising the bar, too. Williamson has scored 25 or more points in each of his last four games, including a season-high 33 points against the Toronto Raptors in late November, while grabbing double-digit rebounds in three of his last four games.

This matchup is set up perfectly for him. The Suns like to play smaller line-ups — and without Jae Crowder or a similar big wing to throw at Williamson, the Pelicans frontcourt should feast in the paint.

Deandre Ayton might have the best shot at guarding Williamson, but that becomes tricker when he shifts into “Point Zion” mode (he led New Orleans with five assists against the Pistons). Dragging Ayton away from the paint leaves Phoenix with limited rim protection. 

Though the visitors boast one of the league’s very best transition defenses, New Orleans will get opportunities if it pushes the pace. Both teams are in the Top 10 in points per game and, regardless of the result, I expect Williamson to continue his dominant play and stuff the stat sheet tonight.

My best bet: Zion Williamson +33.5 Points + Rebounds (-115)

Suns vs Pelicans spread analysis

The Suns are the slightest of favorites tonight, despite being on the road and facing a red-hot Pelicans team. The oddsmakers are likely wary of a Phoenix backlash after an embarrassing beatdown at the hands of the Celtics, who led by as many as 45 points on Wednesday night.

It was only natural that there would be some rust for Paul (a -28 in his 24 minutes) but ice-cold shooting from Devin Booker and Mikal Bridges didn’t help. Expect a bounce-back performance here after 48 hours to stew over the midweek no-show.

The Pelicans are deep, physical, and piling up wins even while attempting the fourth fewest 3-pointers per game in the NBA (though they’re making the ones they’re taking at a Top-10 clip). Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas are wreaking havoc in the paint — and Ayton will have his hands full battling them on the glass. 

But the Suns are a resilient group. They don’t panic; they don’t hang their heads. Phoenix is 7-1 ATS in their last eight games following a SU loss and certainly has the experience edge in this matchup.

Just as Phoenix may be short on answers for Williamson, New Orleans will miss Herb Jones (ankle) for the Booker assignment. Booker has struggled from the field in the Suns’ last two games (both losses), with the burden of carrying the offense without Chris Paul finally taking its toll. But he’s less than two weeks removed from dropping 51 points on the Chicago Bulls.

Suns vs Pelicans Over/Under analysis

Even with prolific scorer Brandon Ingram sidelined by a toe injury, New Orleans just keeps on rolling. Willie Green can call on a deep bench, and the Pelicans are averaging 117 points a night. 

The Suns’ offense is on the same level. Phoenix had scored 120 or more points in four of their past five games prior to the Boston meltdown, and Paul’s return should lead to even better looks. Don’t put too much weight on the lopsided scoreline against the Celtics — count on the level-headed Monty Williams to have his players locked in again.

The Over has hit in the Suns’ last four road games against a team with a winning home record. It’s also 5-1 in the Pelicans’ last six games against a team with a winning SU record, and 5-1 in the last six meetings between these two teams.

Suns vs Pelicans betting trend to know

The Suns have made themselves at home in New Orleans on their recent visits, going 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings in New Orleans. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Pelicans.

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