On Friday, the New Orleans Pelicans will face the Washington Wizards at 7 p.m. ET. The matchup takes place at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. Current NBA odds from BetMGM Sportsbook highlight an interesting dynamic between the two teams.
Current Team Overview
The Pelicans, with a record of 8-31, are struggling significantly. Their recent performance includes a 117-100 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. This defeat marked their ninth consecutive loss. Zion Williamson scored a team-high of 22 points, but the team has gone just 1-8 against the spread (ATS) in that stretch. Overall, they sit at 20-18-1 ATS for the season.
The Wizards have a slightly better standing at 10-26 but also faced a setback recently. They lost 131-110 to the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite this, Washington boasts a 5-3 record straight up in their last eight games. The team’s ATS record stands at 15-21 for the season.
Recent Trades and Impact
In a notable recent trade, the Wizards sent star guard CJ McCollum, who averaged 18.8 points per game, to the Hawks. In return, they received guard Trae Young, who will not play in this game. The impact of this trade could influence the team’s immediate performance.
Injury Report
Injuries will play a crucial role in this matchup. The following players are notable absences:
- Pelicans:
- Jose Alvardo (oblique) – out
- Saddiq Bey (hip flexor) – out
- Herbert Jones (ankle) – doubtful
- Trey Murphy III (back) – questionable
- Dejounte Murray (Achilles) – out
- Wizards:
- Corey Kispert (trade pending) – out
- CJ McCollum (trade pending) – out
Game Predictions and Betting Insights
Experts predict a competitive game, with a forecasted score of Wizards 125, Pelicans 119. The recommendation is to bet on the Wizards at +115. Recent performances show the Pelicans have been underwhelming, including a run of five consecutive games failing to cover.
Despite the Wizards’ trade activity, their recent form suggests they could maintain momentum. Notably, players like center Alex Sarr have stepped up, helping the team’s scoring efforts.
Key Betting Information
For this matchup, the lines are as follows:
- Moneyline:
- Pelicans -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Wizards +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Against the Spread (ATS):
- Pelicans -2.5 (-110)
- Wizards +2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 241.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Both teams struggle defensively, with the Pelicans ranking 27th and the Wizards 29th in defensive rating. Considering their offensive capabilities, a bet on the Over at 241.5 points (-115) seems prudent.
As the teams prepare for this matchup, fans can expect a high-paced game with plenty of scoring opportunities.
