NBA fans rejoiced as they didn't have to wait long to get the much-anticipated rematch of Friday night's emotional New Orleans Pelicans win victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Tempers flared in this one as Zion Williamson was accused of being a showboater by executing a jaw-dropping dunk with a few seconds left in regulation and the game decided.
Phoenix will play with a greater sense of urgency after dropping three straight ugly losses, and Williamson's stunt will provide even greater motivation. The great question is, can the Suns — even with extra motivation — actually beat the red-hot Pelicans?
Find out where the best betting value lies in our free NBA picks and predictions for Pelicans vs. Suns below.
Suns vs Pelicans best odds
Suns vs Pelicans picks and predictions
With less than 10 seconds left in the game, the ball is tossed to the opposite side of the court and lands in the hands of Zion Williamson for a powerful windmill dunk at the end of regulation. The showboating move leaves the Phoenix Suns angry.
The Suns will get to channel that anger this afternoon by trying to make Williamson pay for that gesture, but it won't be easy. Good luck, Phoenix.
Williamson might be the most unstoppable force in the NBA, and with the New Orleans Pelicans running more and more of the offense through the 22-year-old, he has been essentially indestructible. The Pelicans have benefited, evident by their top ranking in the Western Conference.
Phoenix isn't equipped to slow down Williamson, and it knows that. It has a smaller team, and its wings — such as Mikal Bridges — don't have the strength to keep up with Williamson. Currently, the Suns rank 17th in opponent's points in the paint (49.2).
That doesn't bode well when going up against a player of Williamson's playing style. The former Duke standout is a ferocious attacker at the rim and rarely settles for jump shots.
In Friday's matchup, Williamson was in complete command, scoring 35 points on 13-for-17 shooting. Phoenix also sent Williamson to the line a ton as he connected on 9 of 12 free throws.
Tonight shouldn't be different from what we all witnessed Friday night. The initial tone might be slightly elevated as Phoenix will come out motivated to make a statement, but they don't have the pieces to slow down Williamson.
In the last five games, Williamson has surpassed 26.5 points four times. I like his chances to go Over that number again tonight.
My best bet: Zion Williamson Over 26.5 points (-111)
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Suns vs Pelicans spread analysis
In another clash of the Western Conference's top teams, the spread opened initially with the Pelicans as a slight 1-point favorite over the Phoenix Suns. That number has since moved to between -1.5 and -3.
In Friday's matchup, the Pelicans covered a similar 1-point spread with their 11-point outright win and I like them to do so again tonight.
One of the biggest reasons is the 3-point ball. The Suns hit 38.5% of their threes and hit them at an incredibly efficient clip Friday night (22 of 44). I expect the Pelicans to run them off the line and buckle down to prevent such precision from the Suns from deep. The Pelicans are seventh in the league in scoring defense, allowing 110.1 points per game.
Chris Paul is still shaking off the rust from injury and is not where he needs to be. His three turnovers were costly to the Suns, who surrendered 16 total turnovers. Jose Alvarado is etching a lane for himself as a defensive menace, often pressuring opposing point guards into making mistakes. His three steals and defense on Paul and Cam Payne will be critical yet again.
According to the spread, this afternoon should be another close game, but the Suns are reeling behind three one-sided matchups against the Pelicans, Celtics, and Mavericks.
On the other hand, the Pelicans have been in complete command and on fire, winning eight of their last 10 games behind the tremendous play of Williamson. Give me New Orleans to cover.
Suns vs Pelicans Over/Under analysis
On Friday night, the Pelicans and Suns scored 245 points and cleared the Over. Tonight, the line is currently sitting between 225.5 and 226, a mark that has been reached in both of the previous two matchups.
Brandon Ingram will still not be available Sunday, and while the Pelicans have been playing better team basketball in his absence, they score fewer points per game when he's not in the lineup.
The Suns are the third-best 3-point shooting team in the league, making 38.5% of their attempts. They can hit them in bunches, and they did on Friday, which is why the Over was crushed. The Suns will not hit 50% of their threes again, stunting the total number of points the team scores.
Phoenix responds well after giving up many points in a previous game. The Under is 5-0 in the Suns' last five games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game. I expect a more physical and defensive-focused effort in this one, with a lower-scoring game likely headed for the Under.
Suns vs Pelicans betting trend to know
The Pelicans are 4-0 ATS in their last four games playing on one day's rest. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Pelicans.
Suns vs Pelicans game info
| Location: | Smoothie King Centre, New Orleans, LA |
| Date: | Sunday, December 11, 2022 |
| Tip-off: | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Sports Arizona, Bally Sports New Orleans |
