The New Orleans Pelicans have taken a little bit of a downturn as of late but get another chance at getting back on track Monday night when they meet up with the Washington Wizards on the road.
This will be the first of two matchups between the teams this month, as they’ll pair up again on Jan. 28 in the Crescent City.
Washington Wizards vs. New Orleans Pelicans Odds
Pelicans Last Games
The Pelicans (24-16) have lost four of their last five on the NBA schedule, including two in a row against Brooklyn and at Dallas. Despite the poor results recently, they hold onto the third spot in the Western Conference standings, behind only Denver and Memphis.
Wizards Last Games
Washington (17-23), on the other hand, currently grades out in the bottom third of the Eastern Conference. They’re separated from first-place Boston by 11 games and have some work to do if they’re going to reach the playoffs this go-round.
Would a loss to the Wizards mean things are falling apart for New Orleans? If Washington pulls one out, does it build confidence and momentum to help start turning things around?
Let’s go ahead and examine this matchup a bit closer, studying NBA team stats and recent NBA matchups before taking a look at the NBA odds for tonight.
After all of that, we’ll make our Pelicans vs Wizards prediction.
Last Game Records
New Orleans has trouble containing Luka Doncic Saturday but, really, who hasn’t this season? The Dallas superstar totaled 34 points, ten boards, and ten assists as the Pelicans bowed, 127-117.
Things began to go south for New Orleans Pelicans early on, when it missed the mark on each of its nine three-point tries, and the Mavericks’ Christian Wood scored nine of his team’s first 13 points. Dallas led 34-15 after that frame, and Wood closed the game out with 28 points.
Jonas Valanciunas led the Pelicans with 25 points, while Naji Marshall chipped in with 24 in the defeat.
Following a season-long five-game winning surge, the Wizards have lost two straight. Kyle Kuzma bucketed a team-high 23 points against Oklahoma City Friday, but Washington lost 127-110.
The Wizards are returning home from a four-game road swing.
Washington Wizards vs. New Orleans Pelicans Information
NBA Washington Wizards vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Location of the game: Capital One Arena. Washington, DC.
Time: Monday, 9th January. 6:00 PM.
Washington Wizards vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Analysis
Washington Wizards
Scoring 21.9 points per game, Kristaps Porzingis is Washington’s most consistent scoring threat. He adds 9.0 boards each time out, and Monte Morris 5.3 assists.
New Orleans Pelicans
NBA player stats show Zion Williamson paces his squad with an average of 26.0 points per game. Valanciunas is good for 9.6 rebounds each time out, and C.J. McCollum averages 6.0 assists.
Updates
As we get closer to making our Pelicans vs Wizards prediction, it’s imperative we know which players will be suiting up for this one and which will be on the bench with injuries.
Two of New Orleans’ best performers — Williamson and forward Brandon Ingram — are out for this clash. Ingram is nursing a toe ailment and would like to be back sometime during this road trip, while Williamson is dealing with a hurt hamstring and will be re-evaluated in three weeks.
Forward Larry Nance Jr. is probable with right shoulder soreness.
For the Wizards, Bradley Beal will be missing from the action with a left hamstring strain.
Washington Wizards vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
The lines have this one being a pick ’em with NBA picks. The slight favorite here is Washington, as they’re marked down as -1 at -110, while the New Orleans Pelicans odds are the same to cover.
On the money line, the Wizards are -116 and New Orleans -102. The total is listed at 227.5 points, with the over -110 and the under the same.
Washington Wizards vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Prediction
The Pelicans will hope to put an end to a dry spell after an 18-8 start. It’s not like they haven’t done it already this campaign. They rebounded from a four-game skid in December with a five-game surge directly after.
But, they don’t have two key players. Go with the hosts to cover the one-point spread with your Pelicans vs Wizards prediction.
The Washington Wizards record isn’t the greatest, but they’re at home. Taking them can’t hurt.
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