The New Orleans Pelicans (10-11) go head-to-head with the Washington Wizards (8-12) at the Smoothie King Center. The game will air on Fox Sports – New Orleans at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 28, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 242 points with New Orleans set as a 6.5-point favorite.
Washington Wizards vs. New Orleans Pelicans ATS Prediction
The Wizards will be looking for a similar result after covering the 1.5-point spread against the Houston Rockets in their last outing, 135-131. The game’s combined points (266) came in well over the projected point total of 223.5. The Wizards knocked down 24 of their 32 free throws (75.0 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (12.1 vs. 14.9). Washington was led by John Wall, who led the team in scoring with 36 points on 13-for-23 shooting.
In the Pelicans’ previous outing, they lost to the Boston Celtics, 124-107, despite being 2-point favorites. The game’s total points (231) finished just over the projected point total of 228.5. Boston’s 11.4 turnover percentage was their largest advantage over New Orleans, who had a mark of 19.7. The Celtics’ mark was better than their season average of 11.8, while the Pelicans’ was above their season average of 12.3. Anthony Davis put together a solid performance for New Orleans, leading both teams in scoring with 27 points on 8-for-19 shooting.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Porter Jr. scored a game-high 29 points and the Wizards defeated the Pelicans 124-114, covering as 3.5-point favorites. He also put up 7 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 238 points, which was just 0.5 points above the projected point total of 237.5 points. Washington’s 0.622 effective field goal percentage was its biggest strength over New Orleans, who had a rate of 0.539.
Washington holds records of 8-12 straight up (SU) and 7-12-1 against the spread (ATS). Of the Wizards’ 20 games, 14 have gone over the total.
Meanwhile, New Orleans owns records of 10-11 SU and 9-12 ATS. Similarly to Washington, Pelicans games also tend to go over the projected point total (61.9 percent).
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Otto Porter Jr. (16 points,7.6 rebounds,1.2 steals) has been great for the Wizards while Julius Randle (21 points,11.8 rebounds,5.0 assists) has contributed greatly to the Pelicans.
New Orleans could dominate on the offensive side of the ball as their productive offense goes up against one of the worst defenses in the league. The Pelicans currently rank fifth in offensive efficiency, while Washington ranks 29th in defensive efficiency.
Washington Wizards at New Orleans Pelicans Odds Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Wizards, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Washington is 2-7 ATS with 6 overs and 3 unders.
New Orleans is 5-5 ATS at home with 6 overs, 3 unders and 1 push.
Washington and New Orleans are both 2-0 when they allow less than 100 points.
The Pelicans are 10-10 when they score above 100 points, while the Wizards are 8-11.
New Orleans ranks third in assists per game (26.7) while Washington ranks 29th in assists allowed per game (25.7).
The Pelicans rank fourth in rebounds per game (47.9) while the Wizards rank 27th (41.4).
New Orleans averages 17.2 second chance points per game, which ranks second in the NBA. Washington ranks 22nd in second chance points allowed per game (15.0).
The Wizards average 6.6 blocks per game, which ranks first in the league. The Pelicans rank 20th in blocks allowed per game (5.5).
Washington ranks seventh in steals per game (8.4) while New Orleans ranks 25th in steals allowed per game (9.0).
The Wizards rank 11 in points allowed in the paint per game (47.3) while the Pelicans rank 26 (51.80952380952381).
Washington ranks 5 in points off turnovers per game (19.3) while New Orleans ranks 18 (16.238095238095237).
The Wizards average 14.65 fast break points per game, which ranks 11 in the league. The Pelicans rank 24 in fast break points allowed per game (15.952380952380953).
Washington averages 32.7 three pointers per game, which ranks 11 in the league. New Orleans ranks 22 in three pointers allowed per game (32.76190476190476).
Bettings Trends:
In its last five contests, Washington is 3-2 ATS with 5 overs.
New Orleans is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over its last five games.
The Wizards’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.4, down from 4.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 118.0 points per game (0.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 121.8 points per game (4.2 above their season average).
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