Pelicans vs Suns Prediction & Odds: Phoenix The Heavy Favorite In Game 2

The Phoenix Suns (65-18 SU, 45-38 ATS) host the New Orleans Pelicans (38-47, 43-41-1) on Tuesday at Footprint Center in Game 2 of their first-round series. The Suns will look to take a commanding lead after a relatively comfortable win in Game 1. Will Phoenix go up 2-0 or will New Orleans tie up the series? Find out in our Pelicans vs Suns prediction.

Pelicans vs Suns Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds

The Suns opened as a big 10.5-point favorite with the total set at 222.5 points. The UNDER is 6-0 in Phoenix’s last six games and 12-4 in New Orleans’ last 16 contests. Phoenix is 5-1 against New Orleans over their last six meetings, suggesting that the hosts should be the clear pick for your Pelicans vs Suns prediction.

Get the best Pelicans vs Suns odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

Poor Start Hurts Pelicans In Game 1

The Pelicans got off to a sluggish start in Game 1, going down 28-16 in the first quarter and then 53-34 at halftime. New Orleans answered back in the third quarter, outscoring Phoenix 37-26 in the frame, but it was too little, too late as the Suns won 110-99. CJ McCollum led the team in scoring with 25 points while Jonas Valanciunas also had a monster performance with 18 points and 25 rebounds.

Despite losing by a sizable margin, the Pelicans will at least take solace in the fact that they proved they could hang with the NBA-leading Suns as they outscored Phoenix 65-57 in the second half. The Pellies also out-rebounded the Suns 55-35 – a trend that could become an important factor in the series.

Paul Powers Suns To Game 1 Win

Chris Paul led the Suns to victory in Game 1 with a classic playoff performance as he scored 30 points – including 19 in the fourth quarter – while adding 10 assists for a double-double. Paul went 12-for-16 from the field and 4-for-6 from downtown while scoring 17 points in a five-minute stretch in the final frame to seal the game for Phoenix.

Mikal Bridges, who was named a finalist for NBA Defensive Player of the Year, also had an impact performance despite scoring only 11 points. The Pelicans shot just 22 percent in the first half thanks largely to Bridges, who held the opposition to 2-for-16 shooting as the primary defender.

Pelicans vs Suns Pick & Insights

Pelicans: Keys To Cover

While McCollum scored 25 points, he’ll want to be more efficient in Game 2 as the guard went just 9-for-25 from the field. The Pelicans as a whole will want to generate some better looks and build off the momentum they gained in the second half of Game 1.

Suns: Keys To Cover

The Suns got some big offensive performances from Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton but the real key was arguably their defensive effort. Along with Bridges’ defensive dominance, Ayton had four blocks and nine boards while Paul had three steals. If the Suns keep up the intensity in their own half, it’ll be smooth sailing.

Odds Shark’s Computer Pelicans vs Suns Prediction: Suns -9.5

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