The Phoenix Suns (16-9, 4-6 Away) are on the road to face the New Orleans Pelicans (16-8, 10-3 Home) Friday in a matchup that pits outstanding offense against stifling defense. Phoenix was blown out by the Boston Celtics 125-98 at Footprint Center on Wednesday.
Josh Okogie had a standout performance in the losing effort with 28 points and seven rebounds. The Suns are the first seed in the Western Conference, one game ahead of the Pelicans.
New Orleans won their fifth in a row on Wednesday at Smoothie King Center, beating the Detroit Pistons 104-98. Zion Williamson had 29 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists to lead the team. The Pelicans are the second seed in the Western Conference, one game behind the Suns.The teams are meeting for the final time this season.
Phoenix will be looking for a season sweep against New Orleans after coming out on top in the only earlier matchup 124-111 at Footprint Center on October 28, their third straight head-to-head victory. Mikal Bridges led the Suns with 27 points and three blocks. Jonas Valanciunas had 25 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort.
Devin Booker is averaging 27.9 points per game, best in the league, to lead the Suns in scoring this season. Booker also has dished 5.8 assists per game, most in the NBA. Meanwhile, Deandre Ayton is grabbing 9.1 rebounds.
Williamson has powered the Pels on offense, averaging 23.9 points per game. He has the No. 1 scoring average in the league. Valanciunas is averaging 9.1 rebounds per game, most in the league, and CJ McCollum is distributing 5.9 assists (1st). The Pelicans are second in defensive efficiency in the NBA, while the Suns rank third in offensive efficiency.
The Suns have had the advantage in the last 10 trips to Smoothie King Center, winning seven. New Orleans has won five straight at home this season.
Phoenix is 7-3 in the last 10 games with an average margin of +5.3 (116.9-111.6). New Orleans has an 8-2 record over the last 10, scoring 117.4 points per game on average while holding opponents to 106.4 (+11.0 margin).
SUNS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Chris Paul: 12.0 | 22.4 | -10.4
Points per game:
Chris Paul: 4.0 | 9.0 | -5.0
Rebounds per game:
Devin Booker: 3.0 | 4.9 | -1.9
Assists per game:
Chris Paul: 4.0 | 8.9 | -4.9
PELICANS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Naji Marshall: 18.7 | 12.5 | +6.2
CJ McCollum: 14.7 | 27.6 | -12.9
Points per game:
Trey Murphy III: 19.0 | 13.5 | +5.5
CJ McCollum: 6.7 | 16.9 | -10.2
Rebounds per game:
Zion Williamson: 9.8 | 7.2 | +2.6
Assists per game:
Zion Williamson: 6.0 | 4.3 | +1.7
SportsTips’ NBA Pick:
NO Pelicans (+100)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
