The New Orleans Pelicans (38-26) look to continue their 10-game winning streak against the Washington Wizards (37-28) at Smoothie King Center. The game will air on NBATV at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, March 9, 2018.
Washington Wizards at New Orleans Pelicans ATS Prediction
The Wizards will be looking for similar success after beating the Miami Heat in their last contest, 117-113. Washington was effective at getting and making free throws. The Wizards made 23 of their 27 free throws (85.2 percent), while the Heat were 20-27 (74.1 percent). Washington received a boost from Bradley Beal, who was the top scorer from either team with 30 points on 12-for-16 shooting.
The last time the Pelicans played, they were victorious over the Sacramento Kings, 114-101. New Orleans was lights out from beyond the arc (11-26; 42.3 percent). Sacramento, meanwhile, had a turnover percentage of 8.2 (better than their season average of 12.7). Nikola Mirotic was the game’s leading scorer with 26 points on 10-for-12 shooting.
It will be a matchup of contrasting styles as the fast-breaking Pelicans (ranked second in the NBA in possessions per game) will look to push the more grind-it-out Wizards (17th in possessions per game).
Washington comes into the game with records of 37-28 straight up (SU) and 30-33-2 against the spread (ATS). Just over half of the Wizards’ games have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, New Orleans is 38-26 SU and 36-28 ATS. Games including the Pelicans tend to finish over the total (62.5 percent).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Otto Porter Jr. (22.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.4 steals) has been stellar for the Wizards while Jrue Holiday (26.0 points and 8.0 assists) has made great contributions to the Pelicans.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Anthony Davis led both teams with 37 points in the first game, in which the Pelicans lost 116-106, unable to cover as 2.5-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 222 points, which was 6 points above the projected point total of 216 points. Washington launched 35 three pointers, making 14 of them (40.0 percent), while New Orleans was 5-20 (25.0 percent).
Washington Wizards vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Washington is 19-13 ATS on the road with 20 unders and 12 overs.
At home, New Orleans is 13-16 ATS with 22 overs and 7 unders.
In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, New Orleans is 8-1 and Washington is 17-3.
The Wizards are 34-15 when they score above 100 points, while the Pelicans are 36-18.
New Orleans ranks second in points in the paint per game (51.2) while Washington ranks 22nd (42.2).
The Pelicans rank third in blocks per game (5.6) while the Wizards rank 22nd (4.4).
Washington ranks ninth in fast break points allowed per game (11.0) while New Orleans ranks 28th (14.4).
The Wizards rank fifth in assists per game (24.6) while the Pelicans rank 21st in assists allowed per game (24.2).
Washington ranks 10th in points off turnovers per game (17.3) while New Orleans ranks 25th in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.7).
The Wizards average 12.8 second chance points per game, which ranks 13th in the league. The Pelicans rank 28th in second chance points allowed per game (13.6).
Washington ranks 13th in rebounds allowed per game (42.8) while New Orleans ranks 25th (45.2).
The Wizards rank 12th in steals per game (8.0) while the Pelicans rank 22nd in steals allowed per game (8.2).
Washington ranks 17th in three pointers allowed per game (29.6) while New Orleans ranks 27th (30.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Washington is 1-2-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
New Orleans is 5-0 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Wizards have been outscored by an average of 2.2 points in their last five games. On the season, Washington has defeated opponents by an average of 1.6 points.
During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 121.4 points per game (8.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 111.6 points per game (0.1 above their season average).
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