The Phoenix Suns (16-10, 4-7 Away) and their explosive offense are on the road to face the New Orleans Pelicans (17-8, 11-3 Home) and their tremendous defense on Sunday. The teams face off in their second straight game against each other. New Orleans beat Phoenix 128-117 at Smoothie King Center on Friday, their sixth straight win.
Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 35 points and seven rebounds. Deandre Ayton had 25 points and 14 rebounds in the losing effort. The Suns are second in the Western Conference, 0.5 games behind the Pelicans. The Pelicans are 0.5 games ahead of the Suns atop the Western Conference, currently sitting in first.
Phoenix and New Orleans have split their two matchups this season. The Suns have been led this season by Devin Booker, who is averaging 27.4 points per game, best in the league. Booker also has dished 5.8 assists per game, most in the league. Meanwhile, Ayton is grabbing 9.3 rebounds.
Williamson has been the primary provider of the Pels’ offense, averaging 24.5 points per game. He has the top scoring average in the NBA. Jonas Valanciunas is collecting 9.2 rebounds per game, most in the NBA, and CJ McCollum is tallying 5.9 assists (1st).
The Suns rank as the NBA’s third-best team in offensive efficiency, while the Pelicans are third in defensive efficiency. The Suns have had the advantage in the last 10 games at Smoothie King Center, winning seven.
New Orleans has won six straight at home this season. In the last 10 games, Phoenix is 6-4 with an average margin of +2.1 (117.0-114.9). New Orleans has gone 8-2 over the last 10, scoring 117.8 points per game on average while holding opponents to 107.1 (+10.7 margin).
SUNS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points per game:
Chris Paul: 14.0 | 10.3 | +3.8
Assists per game:
Chris Paul: 5.5 | 8.8 | -3.2
PELICANS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Naji Marshall: 19.0 | 12.8 | +6.2
CJ McCollum: 18.5 | 27.7 | -9.2
Points per game:
CJ McCollum: 9.5 | 17.0 | -7.5
Rebounds per game:
Zion Williamson: 9.6 | 7.2 | +2.4
SportsTips’ NBA Pick:
NO Pelicans (-155)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our NBA hub page for all your basketball needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
