The new-look Phoenix Suns are starting to make some noise in the Western Conference standings as they carry a three-game winning streak into Wednesday’s road encounter with the New Orleans Pelicans. The Suns (11-8 SU, 11-8 ATS) are coming off an impressive sweep of Dallas and are away favorites vs a Pelicans team (7-12 SU, 7-12 ATS) struggling against West foes.
- Date/Time: February 3, 9:30 p.m. ET
- Arena: Smoothie King Center
- TV Coverage: ESPN
- Sportsbook Odds: Suns -2.5 | O/U 222.5 (Line History)
- Suns vs Pelicans Matchup Report
Sportsbook Odds Analysis
Phoenix opened the betting festivities as a 2.5-point favorite, but that line has quickly climbed to either -3 or -3.5 depending on the sportsbook. The total has also seen some movement, from 222.5 all the way to 224 or 224.5 in some spots.
Phoenix News & Notes
He might not get the same MVP buzz as players like Giannis Antetokounmpo or LeBron James, but Chris Paul has been just as valuable to his team in the early going. Paul is thriving in his first season in the desert, averaging 16.6 points, 8.7 assists (fifth-most in the NBA) and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 47 percent from the field. He’s also connecting on 96.6 percent of his free throws.
Paul’s daily fantasy salary has risen over the past few games, but he’s still very much in play across all formats against a Pelicans roster that watched him rack up nine assists in just 23 minutes of a 111-86 Phoenix rout back on December 29. Also worth consideration: center Deandre Ayton, who has pulled down at least 13 rebounds in eight consecutive games entering Wednesday.
New Orleans News & Notes
It has been a rough start for the Pelicans, who saw their conference record drop to 3-9 with a 118-109 setback against visiting Sacramento last time out. Defense has become a major issue for New Orleans, which has now surrendered at least 118 points in seven of its last eight games and ranks 22nd in the NBA in overall scoring defense (113.1 points per game).
One player who has committed to being better on the defensive end is second-year power forward Zion Williamson, who has already been a difference-maker for New Orleans on the offensive side of the basketball. Williamson averages 23.5 points per game on the season and is an intriguing run-back play for daily fantasy users who opt to start multiple Phoenix players Wednesday.
Betting Pick: Suns -3.5 (-110)
The Suns have impressed on the road this season (7-4 ATS) and have the superior defense coming into this one; the Pelicans are certainly capable of making things interesting, but Phoenix is playing much better basketball right now.
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Buy Sports Picks Now- Phoenix is 11-4 ATS in its past 15 road games.
- The OVER is 7-1 in New Orleans’ last 8 games.
- The Suns are 4-1 ATS in the past 5 meetings.
