The New Orleans Pelicans will host a contest against the Phoenix Suns at the Smoothie King Center. Action begins at 7:00 pm ET on Saturday, Apr. 9 and can be seen on FSN and FAZ.
The Pelicans enter this game hoping for similar success after topping the Lakers 110-102 on Friday. Alexis Ajinca was a key piece, recording his fourth double-double of the season with 28 points and 15 rebounds. The Suns, meanwhile, are coming off a 124-115 win against the Rockets on Thursday. Tyson Chandler claimed his 20th double-double of the season with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Over the last five games, Tim Frazier has taken his game to another level for the Pelicans, averaging 14.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 9.6 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.4 three-pointers. Chandler has been hot for the Suns. In the same five-game span, he is averaging 15.2 points, 13.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks.
The Pelicans lead the season series against the Suns two games to one, but fell short in their most recent game, 104-88. Eric Bledsoe was the game’s top overall scorer with 29 points.
The Pelicans come into this game 30-49 Straight Up (SU) and 36-43 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 30-49 SU and 36-43 ATS against the Western Conference. New Orleans will look to take advantage of the Suns and their propensity to foul. Phoenix has committed the most fouls in the league, averaging 23.1 per game.
Over on the other bench, the Suns have 21-58 SU and 34-45 ATS records. Phoenix performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 7-3 record.
Phoenix beat New Orleans in their most recent meeting this season, bumping its SU record over the last 10 meetings to 6-4. On the other hand, the Pelicans hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-4.
Predictions: SU Winner – NO
Notes
“New Orleans is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games “.
“New Orleans is 7-15 SU in its last 22 games “.
“The total has gone UNDER in 6 of New Orleans’s last 7 games “.
“New Orleans is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home”.
“New Orleans is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home”.
“The total has gone OVER in 19 of New Orleans’s last 23 games at home”.
“New Orleans is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Phoenix”.
“New Orleans is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Phoenix”.
“New Orleans is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Phoenix”.
“New Orleans is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Phoenix”.
New Orleans ranks 15th in points per game with 102.5, while Phoenix ranks 29th in points allowed with an average of 107.7 given up.
On average, New Orleans puts up 105.8 points per home game (ranked seventh). Phoenix ranks 28th in points allowed per road game with 109.5.
In contests where it has given up fewer than 100 points, New Orleans has a 12-10 record. When Phoenix puts up fewer than 100, it is an abysmal 2-38.
New Orleans is a subpar 18-39 when it gives up 100 or more points. Phoenix has a 19-20 record when it hits the century mark.
The Suns have a defensive rating of 108.2 (ranked 28th). The Pelicans rank 19th for their offensive rating of 103.5.
New Orleans averages fewer possessions per game than Phoenix, with 99.1 compared to 100.7. However, the Pelicans score an average of 1.035 points per possession, more than the .998 that the Suns score.
New Orleans has an average effective field goal percentage of 49.7%. Phoenix is an abysmal 7-48 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
New Orleans makes an average of 22.0 assists per game (ranked 17th), while Phoenix makes 20.6 assists per game (ranked 25th).
The New Orleans Pelicans average 4.3 blocks per game for a rank of 22nd. The Phoenix Suns rank lower (28th), earning 3.8 blocks each game.
New Orleans is ranked 24th when it comes to offensive rebounding. Phoenix ranks 19th in defensive rebounds.
On average, New Orleans makes 7.7 steals per game. Phoenix is a subpar 16-52 when it allows at least 7 steals.
