At the onset, Zion Williamson was touted as a franchise savior when the Pels won the 2019 NBA Draft lottery. But his refusal to keep his weight down has led to perpetual injuries. This year, Williamson has been able to stay in the lineup consistently. In turn, that has made a difference on the hardwood and at the betting window. With only three playoff appearances since 2011, the New Orleans Pelicans are in position for the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Indeed, the key to the New Orleans NBA future odds efforts will be the health of Zion Williamson.
NBA 2024 New Orleans Pelicans Odds
| New Orleans Pelicans | Odds |
|---|---|
| 2024 NBA Championship Odds: | +4000 |
New Orleans Pelicans Team Overview
Although the Pels are showing a strong sports betting profit, that may change if they continue to be successful in their playoff drive. Williamson remains a big name. And if he is on the cusp of a playoff berth, additional casual money will flood the betting window.
To summarize, New Orleans has NBA metrics of 13th for scoring offense, 9th for field goal percentage, 7th for 3-point field goal percentage, 24th for free throw percentage, and 9th for offensive rebounding. On defense, the Pels have NBA metrics of 10th for scoring defense, 6th for field goal percentage permitted, 2nd for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 9th for defensive rebounding.
At the approach of the All-Star Break, the New Orleans Pelicans are 29-21 straight up, 28-21-1 against the spread, and 24-26 over/under the NBA odds total. Late on, New Orleans has covered four out of their last seven games. While the Pelicans have gone under the total in four of its previous six matchups. New Orleans is 7th in the Western Conference playoff standings. New Orleans is six games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference playoff race.
New Orleans Pelicans Key Players and Coach
Head coach Willie Green is a former journeyman NBA player who played in New Orleans from 2010-2011. Correlate that he has been head coach of the Pels since 2021-22 with a career record of 78-86.
PF Zion Williamson leads New Orleans with 22.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. Consider that Williamson has missed roughly half of his career starts, much of it due to a weight issue. Willaimson was the first overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft out of Duke by the Pelicans. He is a 2-time NBA All-Star and was on the 2020 NBA All-Rookie First Team.
SF Brandon Ingram is averaging 21.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. Previously, Ingram was the 2nd overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft out of Duke by the Los Angeles Lakers. Ingram was a 2020 NBA All-Star.
Namely, CJ McCollum is averaging 19.2 points per game. McCollum was the 10th overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft out of Lehigh by the Portland Trail Blazers. McCollum arrived at New Orleans from the Trail Blazers in 2021-22.
New Orleans Pelicans History
The 2007-08 Hornets went 56-26, beating the Dallas Mavericks in the first round. Chris Paul, David West, and Peja Stojakovic were the stars of that team. And then they took the San Antonio Spurs to seven games before falling.
New Orleans would not win a playoff series for another decade. The Pelicans swept the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs. Namely, Anthony Davis took his game to another level with the help of DeMarcus Cousins and Jrue Holiday.