Suns vs. Pelicans Game 3 Prediction
The Suns-Pelicans series is all tied at one game apiece and now shifts to Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA for Game 3 on Friday night. Will the Suns cover as 1.5-point road favorites or is there a better bet on the board?
Game Snapshot
505 Phoenix Suns (-1.5) at 506 New Orleans Pelicans (+1.5); o/u 216
9:30 p.m. ET, Friday, April 22, 2022
Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
TV: ESPN
Phoenix Suns DFS Notes
Devin Booker (right hamstring strain) has been ruled out for Friday’s game against the Pelicans. No surprise that Booker is listed on the injury report as being out for Game 3, as it was reported on Wednesday that he would likely miss both games in New Orleans. The question: who fills the void in the starting lineup? Landry Shamet, who sat out Game 1 with a foot injury, saw action in Game 2 and is one possible option. The other is Cameron Johnson, but the Suns have yet to use a starting five of Chris Paul/Johnson/Mikal Bridges/Jae Crowder/Deandre Ayton this season. Shamet would be worth a look as a low-cost DFS option if he receives the starting nod, while Johnson will have value whether he starts or remains in the sixth man role.
New Orleans Pelicans DFS Notes
C.J. McCollum hit 7-of-18 shots and six 3-pointers for 23 points, eight rebounds, nine assists and a block in 40 minutes of Tuesday’s big 125-114 win over the Suns. McCollum was great in the first half and played well in the second, while Brandon Ingram took over the game late. It looks like the Pels got a steal from the Blazers when they landed McCollum and it also looked like Zion Williamson was awake tonight, watching his teammates getting things done. The Pelicans are in position to go up 3-1 in this series if they can win two at home and if Devin Booker (right hamstring) sits out, it’s not out of the question. Additionally, the late transition defense by the Suns tonight was nearly non-existent late in the game, which also helped the Pelicans run away tonight. Either way, McCollum and Ingram were monsters tonight.
Suns vs. Pelicans Game 3 NBA Playoffs Betting Prediction
The Suns have covered in five of their last seven games versus the Pelicans and are 5-1 at the betting window in their last six games at Smoothie King Center. They’re also 4-1 at the betting window in their last five Conference Quarterfinals Games, are 10-3 against the number in their last 13 games when their opponent scored 100 points or more in its previous game and are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 playoff games when listed as the betting favorite.
NBA PLAYOFFS BETTING PREDICTION: PHOENIX SUNS -1.5