Once Phoenix guard Devin Booker went out with an injury in the second half of Game 2, solving the mystery of how to beat the Suns at home got easier for the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans just shot at a blistering pace and the Suns were unable to keep up.
Few teams were able to solve the riddle of beating the Phoenix Suns in the team’s own venue this season. Betting stats NBA show the Suns were 32-9 at home this season, but few saw the New Orleans Pelicans forcing Phoenix to meltdown in the second half of Game 2 of the team’s first-round playoff meeting. The Pelicans outscored Phoenix by 16 points in the second half to steal an 11-point victory on the road.
There are many statistical items in this game that in sports betting guides identify New Orleans’ victory was more of a fluke than something sustainable. However, the Pelicans will be emboldened by their performance and won’t want to drop their first postseason game at home. However, how New Orleans can accomplish this will require an otherworldly performance. Check the Suns at Pelicans Betting Analysis.
Last Games Records
New Orleans beat Phoenix 125-119 April 19 on the road. The series is now even at 1-1.
Matchup Information
Suns at Pelicans Betting Analysis
Phoenix Betting Analysis
Booker’s injury ruined what was a fantastic shooting night. Booker had scored a team-high 31 points and connected on 7 of his 11 3-point attempts. Finding a scoring threat to replace Booker will be a collective effort for Phoenix, which is 8-6 without Booker this season.
The Suns had a hard time cleaning up on the glass against New Orleans and the Pelicans made their second-chance opportunities count in Game 2. Phoenix was outrebounded 43-33 and allowed the Pelicans to grab 11 offensive rebounds. Phoenix, meanwhile, had a tough night shooting from the perimeter.
The Suns made 37.1 percent (13-of-35) of their outside shots. However, Phoenix didn’t have an awful night shooting. The Suns shot 50 percent (43-of-86) from the field. Phoenix will just need to find a way to play better defense to win.
New Orleans Betting Analysis
The Pelicans shot an unbelievable percentage from the 3-point line in Game 2, making 56.7 percent (17-of-30) of their attempts. CJ McCollum led New Orleans by making 60 percent (6-of-10) from the 3-point line and finished with 23 points. Pelicans small forward Brandon Ingram led New Orleans by scoring 37 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
Pelicans big man Joans Valanciunas also finished with a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. New Orleans got 32 points off the bench. The Pelicans rallied from an eight-point deficit to grab the win.
Updates
Booker could end up missing two-three weeks with a hamstring injury.
- New Orleans is 44-41-1 against the spread.
- Phoenix is 45-39 against the spread.
- The over is 35-51 in the Pelicans’ games this season.
- The over is 42-42 in the Suns’ games this season.
- Phoenix is 9-9 against the spread following a loss.
- New Orleans is 19-18-1 against the spread following a win.
Suns at Pelicans Betting Preview
NBA betting odds have Phoenix as a 1.5-point favorite. The Suns are -121 on the Moneyline, while the Pelicans are +102. For anyone looking to make a different kind of NBA pick, the over/under is set at 216.5.
Suns at Pelicans Betting Prediction
Phoenix will have a major hole to fill in the offense without Booker in Game 3. However, the Suns have a deep roster with many players who are capable of scoring. While New Orleans has home court, Phoenix has been excellent on the road this season. The Suns are 32-9 on the road.
The Pelicans have shown that Ingram and McCollum back a solid one-two punch and can score at will given the opportunity. However, without Booker in the lineup, Phoenix will lean on its defense and play with more ferocity on that end of the court to close the gap. Expect the Suns will steal a game back and put the pressure on the Pelicans to win steal Game 4.
Bet Phoenix -1.5.
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