Phoenix and New Orleans lock horns in Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series, so we have prepared the best Suns vs. Pelicans betting pick along with the latest odds update on MyBookie Sportsbook.

The Suns opened as small 2.5-point road favorites with a total of 216.5 points, while the Pelicans sat at +120 moneyline odds. Phoenix has a 2-1 lead after beating the Pels 114-111 in Game 3 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans this past Friday.

The Suns dominated the Pelicans in the paint        

The Phoenix Suns (66-19; 46-39 ATS) suffered a 125-114 defeat to the Pelicans in Game 2, playing as firm 9.5-point home favorites. They also lost Devin Booker due to a hamstring injury, and the three-time All-Star sat out Game 3 in New Orleans. Booker will remain on the shelf Sunday, and the Suns hope he’ll be able to return for Game 5 at home.

Deandre Ayton led the way for the Suns in Booker’s absence. He posted a 28-point, 17-rebound double-double in Game 3, making 13 of his 20 attempts from the field. The Suns went only 4-for-26 from beyond the 3-point line, but they outscored the Pelicans in the paint 64-40.

Phoenix made just six turnovers last Friday. Chris Paul drove the Suns’ offense, accounting for 28 points and 14 assists, while Mikal Bridges added 17 points and a couple of dishes. JaVale McGee helped the Suns to dominate in the paint with 15 points in just 12 minutes on the floor.

The Pels need more from their role players                 

The New Orleans Pelicans (39-48; 44-42-1 ATS) were so close to another upset in Game 3. They rallied from a ten-point third-quarter deficit but ultimately failed to cope with the Suns down the stretch. The Pels handed out only 17 assists and turned the ball over 15 times.

Brandon Ingram led the charge for the Pelicans last Friday, tallying 34 points on 11-for-19 shooting from the field and 9-for-10 from the charity stripe. CJ McCollum added 30 points and seven assists, but the rest of the team didn’t help a lot.

Ingram and McCollum desperately need more from their supporting cast. Jonas Valanciunas was awful in Game 3 after a couple of strong displays at Footprint Center in Phoenix. The 6-foot-11 center made only one of his five field-goal attempts at home.

Trends:

Phoenix:

  • 6-2 ATS in the last eight games against New Orleans
  • 14-6 ATS in the last 20 playoff games when listed as favorites  

New Orleans:

  • 1-5 ATS in the last six outings as underdogs
  • 1-6 ATS in the last seven home games against Phoenix

Phoenix Suns vs. New Orleans Pelicans Pick

I was pretty sure the Suns will come out on top in Game 3 despite Devin Booker’s injury. Deandre Ayton finally found a way to deal with Jonas Valanciunas in the paint, while Chris Paul continued to torture the Pelicans’ backcourt.

Both Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum are great players, but the Pelicans lack depth to compete with the best teams in the league. They certainly stand a chance in Booker’s absence, but I think the Suns will prevail over the Pels once more.

Pick: Take Phoenix Suns -2.5 at -110   

The Total:

The over is 11-4 in the last 15 encounters between the Suns and Pelicans. Their last seven meetings at Smoothie King Center have gone over the total. The line is set pretty low this time around, so I would follow the betting trends.

Through their previous three dates, the Suns and Pels have averaged only 95.7 possessions per 48 minutes. That’s the reason why the totals sit at 216.5 points, though the Suns will look to speed up things whenever they can.

Pick: Go over 216.5 points at -110