Pelicans vs. Suns, 12/29/20 NBA Fantasy News & Betting Predictions

Pelicans vs. Suns Tuesday Prediction

Zion Williamson and the Pelicans will look to improve to 3-1 on the season when they visit the Suns at 10:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday night. That said, New Orleans is a small road underdog, so are the Pels a good bet to cover on the road tonight?

Game Snapshot

567 New Orleans Pelicans (+3) at 568 Phoenix Suns (-3); o/u 225.5

10:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Venue: PHX Arena, Phoenix, AZ

TV: TNT

New Orleans Pelicans DFS Spin

Zion Williamson shot 7-of-22 from the field and 4-of-7 from the line on Sunday, but still finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds (five offensive), five steals and one block. Steven Adams added eight points and nine boards in 31 minutes, and the Pelicans needed every ounce of their starting frontcourt's production to earn this 98-95 win. They're getting absolutely nothing from their backup bigs this season. Prior to tonight's game, the trio of Jaxson Hayes, Willy Hernangomez and Nicolo Melli had a combined total of four points, four rebounds, four assists and zero blocks. The Pelicans have been clear that they won't rein in Zion's minutes as a precaution, and sure enough he played 38 minutes for the second straight game tonight. His high last season was 35 minutes, and that was an overtime game.

Phoenix Suns DFS Spin

Cameron Johnson scored 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting (3-of-4 from range) in a win over the Kings on Sunday. Johnson can shoot, and for some fantasy managers, that's enough reason to play him. He had a dud 3-of-10 shooting game on Saturday, but in his other two games, he scored 36 points on 12-of-18 shooting, including four made threes. He isn't a play-maker or consistent rebounder, but Johnson can get hot quick, and when he does, Chris Paul will find him.

Pelicans vs. Suns Betting Prediction

The Pelicans are 7-3 against het spread in their last 10 games versus the Suns and are 6-1 against the number in their last seven trips to Phoenix. That said, New Orleans is also 1-5 against the spread in its last six games overall, is 1-5 against the number in its last six road games and has failed to cover in five straight games when playing on one day of rest.

Thus, I’m rolling with the Suns tonight and laying the short number. Phoenix is a perfect 7-0 against the spread in its last seven home games, is 10-1 against the number in its last 11 games overall and is 6-0 at the betting window in its last six games playing on one day of rest. The Suns are also 5-0 against the spread in their last five games following a win of more than 10 points.

NBA BETTING PREDICTION: PHOENIX SUNS -3