The 2022 NBA Playoffs First Round goes on Friday, April 22, with Game 3 of the Western Conference series between Phoenix and New Orleans, so we have prepared the best Suns vs. Pelicans betting pick and odds. 

The Suns and Pels are tied at 1-1 after a couple of games at Footprint Center in Phoenix. According to GTBets Sportsbook, the Suns are slight 1.5-point road favorites for Game 3, while the totals are listed at 216.5 points.

The Suns hope to overcome Devin Booker’s absence      

The Phoenix Suns (65-19; 45-39 ATS) had no problems beating the Pelicans 110-99 as 10-point home favorites. They held New Orleans to 34 first-half points, while Chris Paul led the charge for the Suns’ offense, tallying 30 points on 12-for-16 shooting from the field to go with ten assists, seven rebounds, and three steals.

However, the Suns suffered a 125-114 defeat in Game 2. They also lost Devin Booker due to a hamstring injury, and the three-time All-Star will miss Game 3 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Booker had 31 points in Game 2, making seven of his 11 attempts from deep, while Paul accounted for 17 points and 14 assists.

Without Booker, the Suns will have to lean more on CP3, Mikal Bridges, and Cameron Payne. Deandre Ayton will also have to step up after scoring ten points in Game 2. He had 21 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks in the opener.

The Pelicans tied the series, as Brandon Ingram dominated the Suns               

The New Orleans Pelicans (39-47; 44-41-1 ATS) couldn’t cope with the Suns’ defense in the opener. They shot only 37.9% from the field. The Pels posted a whopping 24 offensive rebounds, but it wasn’t enough.

New Orleans bounced back in Game 2, making 54.8% of its field goals and 56.7% of its 3-pointers (17-for-30). Brandon Ingram went off for 37 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, while CJ McCollum added 23 points, eight boards, and nine dimes.

The Pels handed out 32 assists in a huge victory over the top-seeded Suns. New Orleans ranked ninth in the league in assists per 100 possessions last regular season (25.6), but the Pels were also 22nd in turnovers per 100 possessions (14.4).

Trends:

Phoenix:

  • 13-4-1 ATS in the last 18 road games against the Southwest Division
  • 8-3 ATS in the last 11 road contests against New Orleans

New Orleans:

  • 2-5 ATS in the last seven games against Phoenix

Phoenix Suns vs. New Orleans Pelicans Pick

The Pelicans lack depth, but as long as Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum play at a high level, New Orleans will stand a chance in this matchup. On the other side, the Suns possess great depth, so I’m expecting them to get back to winning ways in spite of Devin Booker’s injury.

Cameron Payne will get more minutes, and he’s been terrific in Chris Paul’s absence in the second half of the 2021-22 regular season. Phoenix is arguably a much better defensive team than New Orleans which should be another important factor. The Suns have to put some pressure on Ingram and McCollum and try to control the glass.

Pick: Take Phoenix Suns -1.5 at -110   

The Total:

The Suns prefer to play at a fast pace and will look to speed up things against the Pelicans. Through their first two encounters in the postseason, the Suns and Pels have averaged 96.0 possessions per 48 minutes. Back in the regular season, Phoenix was recording 99.8, while New Orleans was tallying 97.2 possessions per 48 minutes.

The Pelicans are not a great defensive team. In their final ten outings last regular season, the Pels have surrendered 116.7 points per 100 possessions. Hereof, I lean the over, as the line has been set pretty low in this matchup.

Pick: Go over 216.5 points at -110