New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns odds, picks and prediction – USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire

The Phoenix Suns (49-10) are back in action Friday when they host the New Orleans Pelicans (23-36). Tip-off will be at 9 p.m. ET from Footprint Center. Below, we look at the Pelicans vs. Suns odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.

This will be the Pelicans first game since the All-Star break as they look to snap their current two-game losing skid. The Pels went into the break having lost four of their last five games after winning four straight from Feb. 1-8.

New Orleans has struggled from the field this season, making just 44.7% of its field goal attempts (25th in the NBA) and shooting 32.8% from deep (27th). The Pelicans are getting outscored 109.5-106.3 on average and will now face the highest-scoring offense in the NBA although the Suns will be without PG Chris Paul after he injured his thumb.

The Suns crushed the Oklahoma City Thunder 124-104 Thursday as they padded the best record in basketball. Phoenix sits 6.5 games ahead of the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference.

Losing Paul to a thumb injury definitely hurts, but this Suns team is well-equipped to survive his absence thanks to SG Devin Booker, C Deandre Ayton and SF Mikal Bridges. Booker leads the team with 25.5 points per game, and Ayton is averaging a double-double with 16.2 points and 10.2 rebounds.

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:36 p.m. ET.

Pelicans

Suns (not officially submitted)

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Suns 117, Pelicans 108

This will be the Suns second game without Paul and while its obviously a blow to the team as a whole, they didnt show any ill effects from his absence Thursday. They beat the Thunder by 20 points, with Booker, Bridges and PF Cameron Johnson all scoring at least 21 points each.

I like the SUNS (-260) to win this one but Id much rather bet on them to cover the spread.

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The Suns have been quite good when it comes to covering the spread this season, going 33-26 ATS. Theyre only 1-2 ATS in their last three, but if you zoom out a bit more, theyre 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games. The Pelicans are also 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games but theyve failed to cover in four of their last five, including four games as underdogs.

The Suns are 5-1 ATS in their last six games against the Pelicans, a trend that I think will continue. Take the SUNS -6.5 (-105) to cover.

Not only have the Pelicans struggled on offense this season, but they have the ninth-worst defensive rating,and allow the eighth-highest field goal percentage to opponents.

I see the Suns having an efficient game offensively but the Pelicans wont carry their weight and will struggle to push this total over the line. Bet the UNDER 229.5 (-108).

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New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns odds, picks and prediction - USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire