New Orleans Pelicans vs. Phoenix Suns Predictions, Odds, Picks

Nov. 2, 2021
Eytan Shander
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

It may go from bad to worse for the New Orleans Pelicans as the injury bug strikes again. The Suns haven’t had the best start either, but they have a chance to even the ship Tuesday night at home. The two teams will tip in Phoenix at 10:00 p.m. ET on TNT.

Score Prediction

Suns 113, Pelicans 98

Best Bets

Suns -10

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Phoenix Suns Predictions

No Zion and now possibly no Brandon. As the Pelicans continue to wait for Zion Williamson to make his season debut, they may also be waiting for Brandon Ingram. The Pelicans star missed Saturday’s loss to the Knicks with a hip contusion; he’s questionable for Tuesday night. It’s been the story this short season for New Orleans, lose a game but keep it close.

They battled back against the Knicks only to lose by six points, don’t expect the same thing against the Suns. New Orleans lacks serious firepower with their top two scorers in street clothes, meanwhile the Suns look to be heading in the opposite direction.

Phoenix stopped a two-game losing streak by handling the Cavs on Saturday night. They did have to come from behind in the first half but built a 24-point lead in the second. The offense was clicking behind a huge night from Devin Booker.

Deandre Ayton did leave with a leg contusion after dominating but appears to be a go for Tuesday’s game. The Suns clearly haven’t started out like we saw them end last season, but they are better than a depleted 1-6 Pelicans team.

This is a bad time for the Pelicans to lose Ingram, especially as the Suns are coming off a big momentum-win against the Cavs. Booker added 9 assists and will absolutely gut the Pelicans backcourt if he can facilitate anywhere near that level. Jonas Valanciunas is the Pelicans only hope, but even he draws a tough matchup in dealing with Ayton on both ends.

Devonte Graham and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are charged with slowing down Booker and Chris Paul, but the Suns provide depth too. Most of the Pelicans depth is starting now due to injury, as Josh Hart most likely fills the starting role for the injured Ingram.

There’s the on-floor matchup that the Suns clearly have over the Pelicans, then there’s the narrative fueling Phoenix. For as bad of an initial start as it was for the Suns, they have a chance to get back to .500 with a win Tuesday night, and it’s at home.

They will put out the same starting five we saw in the Finals, with a favorable matchup on the wing if Ingram sits. Mikal Bridges and Jae Crowder should get a couple of more looks as New Orleans figures out their defensive strategy on the fly.

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds

Odds Provided by DraftKings - Subject to Change

  • Pelicans +450
  • Suns -630
  • Pelicans +11 (-110)
  • Suns -11 (-110)
  • Over 216.5 (-110)
  • Under 216.5 (-110)

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Resources

  • Matchup: Southwest vs. Pacific
  • Date: Tuesday, November 2, 2021
  • Venue: Footprint Center
  • Location: Phoenix, Arizona
  • TV-Time: TNT - 10:00 p.m. ET

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New Orleans Pelicans Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 1-6
  • ATS: 4-3
  • O/U: 2-4-1

When healthy, the team is led by Brandon Ingram and his impressive 25 PPG. He’s adding 7.3 RPG and just under 5 APG. They do have two other consistent scorers, as Valanciunas puts in 19.4 PPG and 14.6 RPG. Devonte Graham picked up some scoring slack with Zion out, as he’s just under 18 PPG and just over 5 APG.

The only other Pelicans player to average double-digits is Alexander-Walker at just over 14 PPG. If Ingram is out then expect Hart to take up the majority of the slack, he’s at 9 PPG but shooting just under 69 percent from the floor.

Phoenix Suns Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 2-3
  • ATS: 1-4
  • O/U: 1-4

Bridges sits at 15.2 PPG and Ayton is just under 14 PPG – adding 11.4 RPG. Chris Paul may be down to 12.8 PPG but he’s hitting 10.6 APG. JaVale McGee, Cam Johnson, and Cam Payne round out the bench. It should be noted Crowder’s inconsistencies have plagued his scoring; with 7.6 PPG off 31.7% from the floor.


The Phoenix Suns have failed to cover the spread in eight of its last nine games. (AP)

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Phoenix Suns Head-to-Head

The first matchup between these two teams may not even feature the Pelicans top two players. Both teams last played Saturday - with the Pelicans dropping their third straight and the Suns snapping a two-game losing streak.

Key Players to Watch

  • NOR: Brandon Ingram - SF (25 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 4.8 apg)
  • NOR: Devonte' Graham - PG (17.9 ppg, 5.1 apg)
  • PHX: Devin Booker - SG (22.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 5.8 apg)
  • PHX: Chris Paul - PG (12.8 ppg, 10.6 apg)

Injuries

  • NOR: Zion Williamson - PF (Out)
  • PHX: Cameron Payne - PG (Out)

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Conclusion

The Suns have a perfect opportunity to right their 1-4 record ATS – including three straight losses – as they settle in for their third straight home game. Paul and Booker are too much and even if Ayton does sit, Valanciunas can’t do it on his own.

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Phoenix Suns Betting Trends

  • Phoenix has failed to cover the spread in eight of its last nine games.
  • New Orleans has lost 10 of its last 11 games.
  • The point total has gone OVER in four of the last five meetings.
  • Phoenix has covered the spread in three of its last four games when facing New Orleans.