The No. 1 seed Phoenix Suns begin their playoff run Sunday, hoping to return to the NBA Finals for the second year in a row. They open the first round of the NBA playoffs at home against the New Orleans Pelicans, who earned the No. 8 seed after coming out of the play-in games. Tip-off is 9 p.m. ET at Footprint Center (on TNT). Below, we look at the Pelicans vs. Suns odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Pelicans finished the regular season in ninth place. They defeated the San Antonio Spurs 113-103 Wednesday and then the Los Angeles Clippers 105-101 Friday in the play-in tournament to make the playoffs. F Brandon Ingram had 30 points in the win over the Clippers.
The Suns finished the regular season with a franchise-record 64 wins, earning them the best record in the NBA and clinching home-court advantage throughout the postseason. They finished the season winning 11 of their final 15 games. With identical 32-9 records at home and on the road, they had the league’s best record in both categories.
Pelicans at Suns odds and lines
- Money line: Pelicans +440 (bet $100 to win $440) | Suns -650 (bet $650 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pelicans +10.5 (-112) | Suns -10.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
Pelicans at Suns key injuries
Pelicans
- PF Zion Williamson (foot) out
Suns
- SG Landry Shamet (foot) questionable
Pelicans at Suns picks and predictions
Prediction
Suns 122, Pelicans 104
Money line
PASS.
The Suns (-650) had the league’s best home record, while the Pelicans went 17-24 on the road. The Suns are at full strength and rested, while the Pelicans had to play two games just to get here.
The Suns won three of four games in the head-to-head, regular-season series, and I expect them to win Sunday, but the -650 price doesn’t make sense as a single bet. You can include a Suns money line play in a parlay bet.