At the beginning of their series against New Orleans, the Suns were prohibitive favorites for NBA bets. But when Devin Booker was injured in Game-1, everything changed. Now Phoenix is in crisis mode. The Suns are playing another shorthanded team in their own right. New Orleans is without the services of 2019 first overall draft pick Zion Williamson. Yet the Pelicans are suddenly making a series out of what was expected to be a blowout. The irony for the Suns is that they took advantage of an injury battered Western Conference in 2021.
2022 NBA Playoffs New Orleans Pelicans vs. Phoenix Suns – Game 5
| Date and Time: | Tuesday, April 26, 2022, 10 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona |
| Pelicans at Suns TV Coverage: | TNT |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelicans | +6½ (-110) | 215½ (-110) | +210 |  |
| Suns | -6½ (-110) | 215½ (-110) | -250 | |
| ||||
SBG Odds Analysis – Booker Injury Changes NBA Betting Perceptions
At the onset of this series, the betting masses stormed the online betting window to pound the Suns. Nobody gave the Pelicans a chance. And understandably so. New Orleans was a play-in-round team far below .500 for the regular season. Counter to that is a Phoenix team that won the top seed in the Western Conference. Those gamblers holding series futures tickets on the Suns are sweating bullets. Devin Booker is out for the rest of this series. And New Orleans is playing loose with house money.
In this situation, the Suns remain the better overall team. And without Booker, they will get a much better price. But the question is how much better the Suns are compared to the Pelicans. And how does that translate into wagering value?
New Orleans Finds New Dynamic Duo
In Game-2, the Pelicans stormed the Suns 125-114 to show the basketball betting world that they were a threat. Namely, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum are the big reasons for the Pelicans’ resurgence. Ingram is averaging 29.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in the playoffs. While McCollum is at 26 points and 6.7 rebounds per post-season contest.
McCollum is best known for his years with the Portland Trail Blazers from 2013-22. And Ingram is a former Duke star that was a 2020 NBA All-Star. Overall, this season Ingram averaged 22.7 points per game. In games two and three, Ingram was sensational, scoring 34 and 37 points, respectively. Meanwhile, McCollum averaged 22.1 points per game in the regular season. In the first three games of this series, he scored 25, 23, and 30 points.
Suns Burden Falls on Paul and Ayton
Fashion that Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton are having to make up for the loss of Devin Booker. Paul is averaging 25 points and 12.7 assists per game. Of course, Paul is one of the great quarterbacks in the NBA. He averaged 10.8 assists per game in the regular season with 14.7 points.
Deandre Ayton has emerged as one of the top centers in the NBA. To illuminate, Ayton averaged 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game in the regular season. He stepped up to 19.7 points and 11.7 rebounds per contest in the playoffs.
New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns Free SBG Picks
On this occasion, the Pelicans will bring strong NBA Bets value as the away team. They have the confidence of knowing they can win in Phoenix.
Pelicans at Suns SBG Best Bet: New Orleans Pelicans.