New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 01/04/2024, 07:49  by Kennedy Kechula | Modified on 01/04/2024 at 12:00 in NBA Prediction

The New Orleans Pelicans will be at home to welcome the Phoenix Suns in the penultimate regular season matchup between the two. They come to this game sitting sixth in the West standings, two games clear of the eighth-placed Suns. The Pelicans have lost twice in their last three games and both losses have come at home. This slump has precipitated their drop to sixth in the Western Conference. They now sit in a precarious position, only two games clear of their closest challengers for the final automatic playoff spot. Willie Green’s men, who have compiled a 45-29 record, were defeated 104-92 by the Celtics last time out. Jose Alvarado and Brandon Ingram will continue to be sidelined with injuries and will not be available here. Cody Zeller, who has missed the last four games, is however available. The Pels have averaged 103.7 points over their last three matches.

The Phoenix Suns are battling to climb out of the play-in places. Of the four teams set to play in the playoff preliminaries, the Suns are the favourites to qualify for the top six. Frank Vogel’s men have compiled a 43-31 record and are tied with the seventh-placed Kings. They are also 1.5 games clear of the Lakers in ninth. Phoenix have also been defeated twice in their last three matches. Both losses were on the road with the most recent being a humiliating 128-103 loss in Oklahoma. But having won the last two meetings with the Pels, Phoenix will be confident of a win here. They claimed the first meeting of the season 123-109 back in January which is also the last time they were in New Orleans. Another win here will see them secure this regular season series with a game to spare. The Suns do not have major injury concerns coming into this game and only long-term absentee Damion Lee is ruled out. In their last three outings, the Suns have put up 103 points on average.