Suns vs. Pelicans Prediction and Odds for Game 3 (Pelicans Live for Another Upset)
By Peter Dewey
The Phoenix Suns will be without All-Star guard Devin Booker in Game 3, as he suffered a hamstring injury in the second half of Game 2.
There's still an evaluation ongoing on MRI results of Phoenix Suns All-Star Devin Booker's right hamstring, but it appears unlikely he will be able to play in Games 3 and 4 in New Orleans, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 20, 2022
As good as the Suns have been this season, they are just 8-6 in the 14 games Booker missed this season.
The New Orleans Pelicans have a chance to really put the Suns on notice in Game 3, and Brandon Ingram’s Game 2 performance (37 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists) showed that the Pels have the star player to at least hang with the league’s best team.
Here are the odds for Friday’s Game 3 via WynnBET:
Suns vs. Pelicans Odds, Spread and Total
Spread:
- Suns -1 (-110)
- Pelicans +1 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Suns: -120
- Pelicans: +100
Total:
- 217.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
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Suns vs. Pelicans Prediction and Pick
The Phoenix Suns have been great this season, but there is no doubt that they are a different team, and lack some offensive firepower when Booker doesn’t play.
The Phoenix Suns are a great team, but largely because Devin Booker is a great player.
— Peter Dewey (@peterdewey2) April 20, 2022
Suns record this season:
With Booker: 56-12
Without Booker: 8-6
Phoenix is +9.7 points per 100 possessions with Book on the floor this season.
This season, Phoenix finished fifth in the NBA with an offensive rating of 114.2, but when Booker didn’t play, the Suns posted an offensive rating of 109.7.
New Orleans has more offensive firepower with Ingram and McCollum playing well, and I don’t think this is an easy win for Phoenix like some may think.
I’m interested to see how this line moves before Friday's tip off, but I’ll lean with New Orleans for now.
Lean: Pelicans Moneyline (+100)
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record in the NBA this season here.