Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans Prediction: Can the Pels sneak one to make three in three?

NBA is on and we have seen the scene only turn more intense with each day. Teams that notched top spots have faced resistance and the scene remains wide open in either Conference with the margin being slim. With each team playing 82 games, there is a lot of ups and downs. How will it be when Phoenix Suns take on the New Orleans Pelicans in the inter-conference match-up?

The Suns enter the fray after defeating the Clippers 113:95 which were without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Apart from the win against a depleted Clippers unit, the Suns have lost five in a row. Devin Booker is grappling with a hamstring injury. They miss the defensive energy of Jae Crowder whereas Mikal Bridges has been a bright spot on both ends but has a tinge of inconsistency. The absence of Deandre Ayton will hurt because he has been the most consistent player.

The Pelicans come into this game after suffering a 129:132 Overtime loss against the Utah Jazz despite a 31 points and eight assists effort by Zion Williamson. They have lost two in a row but still, hold an impressive record of 18 wins and 10 losses. In the absence of Brandon Ingram, Zion has picked up his game which has also made up for the poor shooting of CJ McCollum. The bench strength is strong but the Pels will need a way to bounce back after the twin losses.

This will be the third time the Suns and Pelicans will meet within a space of 10 days. First two battles were on the home floor of the Pels. The first meeting was won by Pels with a big margin but the second one went to the Overtime, with Pels winning again 129:124 as Zion Williamson took over the game again. The scene shifts to the Suns’ home court but they look embattled at this point.

• Suns: OUT: Cameron Payne, Deandre Ayton, Cam Johnson, Duane Washington Jr;
• Pelicans: OUT: Brandon Ingram, EJ Liddell. Game-Time Decision: Jose Alvarado.

• Expected Leading Scorers: Zion Williamson(28-34 Points), Devin Booker(22-26 Points);
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Zion Williamson(8-10 Rebounds), Jonas Valanciunas(8-10 Rebounds);
• Expected Leading Playmakers: Chris Paul(10-13 Assists), Zion Williamson(5-8 Assists).

Without Deandre Ayton, it will be a tenuous task for the Suns to slow down Williamson whose physicality is unmatched in the league for most parts. While the Pels can be an inconsistent long-range shooting team, the Suns have also struggled in that area. Although the Suns are playing at home, the momentum is currently with the Pelicans. I believe the Pelicans will seize the momentum. I predict a scoreline of 120:115 in favor of the Pelicans.