Suns vs. Pelicans prediction, odds, line, spread: 2022 NBA picks, Dec. 11 best bets from proven model

The Phoenix Suns visit the Smoothie King Center to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday afternoon. Phoenix is 16-10 after three straight losses, including a loss to New Orleans on Friday. The Pelicans are 17-8 overall and 11-3 at home. Devin Booker (hamstring) and Cameron Johnson (knee) have been ruled out for the Suns. Brandon Ingram (toe) and Herbert Jones (ankle) are out for the Pelicans. 

Tip-off is at 3:30 p.m. ET in New Orleans. The Pelicans are listed as 5-point favorites, while the over/under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 223.5 in the latest Suns vs. Pelicans odds. Before you make any Pelicans vs. Suns picks and NBA predictions, see what SportsLine’s advanced computer model has to say.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past four-plus seasons. The model enters Week 8 of the 2022-23 NBA season on a stunning 111-70 roll on all top-rated NBA picks that dates back to last season, returning more than $3,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Suns vs. Pelicans. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting trends for Pelicans vs. Suns:

• Suns vs. Pelicans spread: Pelicans -5
• Suns vs. Pelicans over/under: 223.5 points
• Suns vs. Pelicans money line: Pelicans -195, Suns +162
• PHO: The Suns are 5-6 against the spread in road games
• NO: The Pelicans are 8-6 against the spread at home
• Suns vs. Pelicans picks: See picks at SportsLine

Why the Suns can cover

Despite an active losing skid, the Suns are flying high in terms of statistical profile. Phoenix is in the top three of the NBA in offensive efficiency, scoring 116.3 points per 100 possessions. The Suns are in the top five of the league in 3-point shooting, making 38.5% of attempts, and Phoenix is also elite in assists (27.4 per game) and turnovers (13.8 per game). Phoenix is in the top 10 of the NBA in field goal percentage (47.7%) and free throw percentage (80.8%), and the Suns are also stellar on defense. 

Phoenix is in the top 10 in overall efficiency, giving up 1.11 points per possession. The Suns are also excellent in transition, allowing only 11.8 fast break points per game, and Phoenix makes it tough on opponents with 52.5% 2-point shooting allowed, 23.1 assists allowed per game, and 5.4 blocked shots per game.

Why the Pelicans can cover

New Orleans is outstanding on both ends of the floor. The Pelicans are No. 3 in the NBA in defensive efficiency, yielding only 1.08 points per possession. New Orleans is in the top five of the league in turnover creation, generating 16.2 takeaways per game, and the Pelicans average 8.8 steals per contest. New Orleans is also in the top three of the league in 3-point defense (33.5%) and free throw prevention (21.0 attempts per game), with the Pelicans grabbing 73.2% of available defensive rebounds. 

On offense, the Pelicans are averaging 1.15 points power possession with 48.5% shooting. New Orleans excels in sharing the ball, averaging 26.9 assists per game, and the Pelicans are soundly above-average in offensive rebound rate (29.3%), points in the paint (56.2 per game), free throw attempts (24.6 per game), and 3-point accuracy (36.9%).

How to make Pelicans vs. Suns picks

SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the total, with the teams projected to combine for 237 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations. See who to back at SportsLine.

So who wins Suns vs. Pelicans? And which side of the spread hits in over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the Pelicans vs. Suns spread you need to jump on Sunday, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.