Pelicans vs Suns Prediction and Odds (Count on Suns In High-Scoring Contest)

Coming off a 20-point win over the Thunder last night in their first game without Chris Paul for the foreseeable future, the 49-10 Phoenix Suns will try to win their ninth in a row as they host the 23-36 New Orleans Pelicans tonight at 7:00 PM MST.

The Pelicans have lost and failed to cover the spread in four of their last five after covering five in a row while the Suns are on the second night of a back-to-back. Where does the value lie in this matchup?

Let's take a look at the odds via WynnBET:

Pelicans vs Suns Odds, Spread and Total

Spread

• New Orleans: +7 (-110)
• Phoenix: -7 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Pelicans: +250
• Suns: -310

Total:

• 228 (Over -110/Under -110)

Pelicans vs Suns Prediction and Pick

Don't look now, but the Pelicans may have the makings of a good offense! Since acquiring C.J. McCollum at the trade deadline, New Orleans has the 6th-best offensive rating in the league. Their defensive rating is 28th in that stretch so there's plenty of room for improvement, but with the turmoil surrounding Zion we'll take good news where we can get it.

They'll take on a Suns squad tonight that has already beaten them twice this season by double digits. Losing Chris Paul obviously hurts, but Phoenix is built to withstand an absence from one of their stars. Devin Booker is averaging 27.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game over his last 15 and between him, DeAndre Ayton, Mikal Bridges, and a strong reverse group, the Suns shouldn't miss Paul too much.

Phoenix is third in the league in both offensive and defensive rating on the season and I think they'll take advantage of a poor Pelicans defense. Over their last seven games as a home favorite of seven points or fewer, the Suns are 6-1 ATS. I like them to cover the spread tonight but I'll also be playing the over as New Orleans' offense is reaching new heights with McCollum.

The over is 9-3 in the Suns' last dozen games as a favorite and they've played at the fastest pace in the league over their previous five games. Since they've had McCollum in the lineup, the over is 3-1 in Pelicans games as well.

With Phoenix's frenetic pace and strong offense against a terrible Pelicans defense but encouraging offense, I like the over to move to 8-1 over the Suns' last nine contests overall.

Pick: Suns -7 (-110) and OVER 228 (-110)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.