Phoenix Suns @ New Orleans Pelicans - December 5, 2024

Alright, folks, it’s that time again—time to break down the upcoming clash between the Phoenix Suns and the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. As I settle into my lucky chair, with a fresh stack of betting slips in hand, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and anticipation for this matchup.

The Suns come into this game sitting at 12-8 on the season. They’ve had their ups and downs but showed promise recently with a solid win over the Spurs. With an impressive average of 113.2 points per game on nearly 47% shooting from the field, they boast an offense that can light up the scoreboard. They also find ways to share the rock effectively, dishing out over 26 assists a night. However, they are coming off a stretch where they went under in four of their last six games—a trend we might see continue against a struggling Pelicans squad.

Speaking of New Orleans… well, let’s just say things aren’t looking rosy for them these days. The Pelicans sit at a woeful 4-18 SU and are currently riding a nine-game losing streak. Their offense is sputtering along at just over 103 points per game with abysmal shooting percentages—43% from the field and only 32% from deep. When you’re averaging less than 24 assists per game, it shows how much they’re struggling to establish any rhythm on that end.

Defensively, both teams have their weaknesses, but what stands out is New Orleans’ tendency to give away possessions—averaging over 15 turnovers per game alongside committing more fouls than they should; that’s not going to cut it against Phoenix’s sharp shooters.

Now let’s talk numbers: Oddsmakers have opened this one with Phoenix as -1 favorites, which feels pretty generous given how badly New Orleans has been playing lately. I’m confident that not only will Phoenix take home the W tonight but also cover that spread comfortably.

With all signs pointing toward an UNDER scenario based on both teams’ recent scoring trends and defensive stats (the total opened at 218.5), I wouldn’t be surprised if this one stays low-scoring given New Orleans’ struggles offensively and Phoenix’s defensive capabilities.

So here’s my prediction: The Suns will come out strong tonight—expect them to control tempo early and dictate play throughout. While we could see some fireworks in terms of individual performances from Phoenix players stepping up after their last win, don’t expect an offensive explosion from either side given how each team has performed lately.

In summary? Suns win by double digits, cover the spread easily, and we’re looking at an UNDER performance when all is said and done. Now let’s put our money where our mouth is—but remember my little rituals before placing those bets! Good luck tonight!