New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix-suns Picks and Predictions December 5th 2024

New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix-Suns December 5th 2024

The Suns are favored by 1.5 points over the Pelicans in a Western Conference matchup. Phoenix is 12-8 on the season and has won two straight games. New Orleans is just 4-18 and has lost nine in a row.

This game will tip off at 8:00 ET and will be played at the Smoothie King Center. The Suns are 5th in the Western Conference, while the Pelicans are 15th. The over/under line for this game is 221 points.

Suns vs. Pelicans Key Information

With a 104-93 win over the Spurs on Tuesday, the Suns improved to 12-8 this season. Playing at home, Phoenix was favored by 7 points and covered the spread, while the game’s total of 197 points fell well short of the 229-point over/under line.

Phoenix started strong with an 11-0 run and led 29-19 after the 1st quarter. Although the Spurs outscored them 32-23 in the 3rd, the Suns entered the 4th quarter up 75-71 and pulled away by winning the final period 29-22.

Devin Booker led the Suns to a win over the Spurs, scoring 29 points, including 12 in both the 1st and 4th quarters. He also added 9 rebounds and 5 assists, hitting 4 threes at a 40% clip.

Tyus Jones contributed 16 points, with 7 coming in the 2nd quarter, while Kevin Durant added 10 of his 13 points in the 2nd. The Suns shot 48.7% from the field, making 11 threes at 34.4%.

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The Suns put together a strong defensive performance, holding the Spurs to just 93 points on 35% shooting. They were particularly effective in the 1st and 2nd quarters, allowing only 19 and 20 points, respectively. Phoenix also limited San Antonio’s three-point shooting, with the Spurs hitting just 8 threes at an 18% clip.

Phoenix sent the Spurs to the free-throw line 20 times, where they made 15. The Suns grabbed 42 defensive rebounds but allowed 18 offensive boards. They also contributed 10 steals and 5 blocked shots in the win.

The Pelicans dropped to 4-18 on the season after a 124-112 road loss to the Hawks on Monday. New Orleans entered the game as +9.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread, losing by 12. The total points for the game were 236, exceeding the O/U line of 231.5 by 4.5 points.

Atlanta’s 10-0 run early in the game put the Pelicans on the back foot, and while New Orleans kept it close through the 2nd quarter, they couldn’t stop the Hawks from pulling away in the 3rd and 4th quarters, where they were outscored 34-26 and 32-27, respectively.

In their 124-112 loss to the Hawks, the Pelicans shot 44% from the field and made 13 threes, though they connected at just 31% from beyond the arc. CJ McCollum led the way with 29 points, adding 9 in both the 2nd and 4th quarters.

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Yves Missi contributed 23 points on 78.6% shooting, while Brandon Boston added 19 points, 10 of which came in the 2nd quarter. Boston also hit 3 threes, shooting 42.9% from deep.

Defensively, the Pelicans struggled against the Hawks, giving up 124 points on 51% shooting. They allowed 26 points in the 1st quarter but gave up 32 in both the 2nd and 4th quarters and 34 in the 3rd.

New Orleans did well defending the three, holding Atlanta to 26% shooting and just 10 made threes. The Pelicans also recorded 15 steals and 5 blocks in the game.

As the underdogs with a spread of +1.5, we recommend going with the Pelicans on the point spread. We not only see them covering the spread but also have a strong likelihood of winning this one outright, especially if you’re seeking a higher payout on the moneyline.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 221 and our model has the Suns and Pelicans finishing with a combined 231 points. Our pick is to take the over.

Suns, Pelicans Enter Matchup Trying to Work Around Injuries

Injury struggles continue to define the seasons of the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans as the teams prepare to meet Thursday night in New Orleans.

Suns Navigate Another Kevin Durant Setback

The Suns seemed to be regaining momentum with three wins in four games after a five-game losing streak. However, they suffered a significant blow Tuesday night when Kevin Durant sprained his left ankle during their 104-93 win over the San Antonio Spurs. Durant is expected to miss at least a week, adding to a frustrating season of injury woes for Phoenix.

Durant had recently returned from a left calf strain that sidelined him for seven games, during which the Suns went 1-6. Phoenix started the season strong at 8-1 before injuries derailed their rhythm.

“It’s impossible to replace what he brings to our team,” said Devin Booker, who scored 29 points and surpassed 15,000 career points in the win over San Antonio. “Even just his presence around the team, not even having him on the bench in the second half was tough. But we stuck with it, weathered the storm, and it was a growth moment for us.”

The Suns were eliminated from NBA Cup contention despite a 3-1 group-play record, leaving the team to focus on maintaining consistency through their injury setbacks.

“All teams at some point through the season have to deal with this,” Booker added. “It’s a special time for more opportunity for other people to get a chance.”

Pelicans Slowly Reintegrate Key Players

Meanwhile, the Pelicans have endured a grueling stretch, losing nine straight games and posting the worst record in the Western Conference. Injuries to key players have left New Orleans struggling to find consistency, with the team winning just two of its past 20 games.

New Orleans has started to see glimmers of hope as guards Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum have returned to the lineup together for the past three games. This marks only the second time this season the pair has played together since opening night.

“It’s going to take a little time for everyone to get acclimated,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said. “They’re still learning each other’s game.”

Murray, recovering from wrist surgery, has yet to find his shooting rhythm, averaging just 27.3 percent from the floor and 24 percent from 3-point range since his return. However, his contributions in other areas—5.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 2.8 steals per game—remain invaluable.

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New Orleans could also receive a boost from Herbert Jones and leading scorer Brandon Ingram, who are nearing returns. However, Zion Williamson remains out with a hamstring injury and is not expected to return for at least two more weeks.

“We’re getting used to each other,” McCollum said. “It takes time. We’ve got to speed up our learning curve and continue to get better. The worst part of the season is behind us. Guys are starting to slowly come back, and we’ll be able to give ourselves a chance with a full, healthy roster soon.”

What’s at Stake

Phoenix, sitting in a better position than New Orleans, aims to maintain momentum despite Durant’s absence. Meanwhile, the Pelicans look to snap their losing streak and build chemistry as they reintegrate their core players. Both teams are hoping to weather the storm of injuries and stay competitive in a tough Western Conference.