NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans Picks and Predictions – December 26
The Phoenix Suns head to New Orleans on Friday night to take on the Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center, with tipoff set for December 26. This is one of the more interesting late-December matchups on the board, especially from a betting perspective, because the total is high and the spread sits in that uncomfortable middle range. If you’ve ever wondered how betting odds work or what is moneyline in betting, this game is a good real-world example of how sportsbooks balance star power, pace, and defensive risk.
Phoenix comes in as a road favorite, while New Orleans looks to protect home court and keep pace offensively. This is the kind of matchup that fits cleanly into concepts covered in how to bet on NBA games and the broader NBA betting guide, where shot profile and late-game execution matter more than raw tempo.
Access Thousands of Data-Driven Plays
From the First Pitch to the Final Whistle
Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans Odds
These are the current betting lines for Friday’s matchup. Bettors should continue to monitor movement and alternate numbers using the latest NBA odds as tipoff approaches.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Suns | -167 | -4.0 (-108) | U 239.5 (-110) |
| New Orleans Pelicans | +140 | +4.0 (-114) | O 239.5 (-110) |
Understanding what does the spread mean in betting is key here, because this number suggests a competitive game that likely comes down to late possessions.
Phoenix Suns Betting Form
Phoenix continues to lean heavily on half-court efficiency and shot-making rather than pure pace. The Suns are comfortable playing slower stretches, then flipping the switch late when execution matters most. That profile often plays well when laying small road numbers, especially against teams that rely more on flow than structure.
Offensively, Phoenix prefers clean looks from midrange and the perimeter rather than forcing the issue at the rim. That lowers variance, which is something bettors often overlook when focusing only on totals. You can track recent trends and splits on the Phoenix Suns team page, which helps contextualize why they’re favored here.
Availability is always part of the equation with Phoenix. Bettors should stay locked in on the Phoenix Suns injury report before tipoff and manage exposure carefully using principles like what is a unit in betting.
New Orleans Pelicans Betting Form
New Orleans continues to play with pace and physicality, particularly at home. The Pelicans want to get out in transition, attack early, and put pressure on defenses before they can get set. When that works, they can trade scores with almost anyone. When it doesn’t, efficiency drops quickly.
Defensively, the Pelicans can be vulnerable in the half court, especially against teams that are patient and comfortable taking contested jumpers late in the clock. Those trends are visible when reviewing recent games on the New Orleans Pelicans team page. From a betting standpoint, that volatility makes covering spreads tricky when facing structured offenses.
Health matters here too. Bettors should closely monitor the New Orleans Pelicans injury report, especially when considering totals or derivative markets like alternate total points.
Discover Where the Sharps Are Betting
Real Trends, Real Edges, Real Wins
Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans Matchup Breakdown
This matchup comes down to control versus pace. Phoenix is comfortable slowing the game down and turning it into a half-court battle. New Orleans wants tempo and early offense. Whichever team imposes its style likely dictates both the side and the total.
If Phoenix can limit turnovers and force New Orleans into longer possessions, that favors the Suns late. On the flip side, if the Pelicans are scoring before the defense sets, this game can push toward the over quickly. In-game bettors should understand how momentum shifts affect pricing, which is where what is live betting becomes relevant.
Key matchup angles to watch:
- Phoenix’s half-court execution against New Orleans’ transition defense
- Turnover battle influencing pace
- Late-game shot creation in a tight spread
If you’re newer to evaluating these concepts, the betting terminology A to Z guide is a helpful reference.
Phoenix Suns vs New Orleans Pelicans Predictions and Best Bets
I lean toward Phoenix on the spread. The number isn’t asking for dominance, just cleaner execution late, and that’s where the Suns tend to separate. Their ability to control possessions and get quality shots down the stretch gives them a slight edge in a game that should stay competitive.
The total is high for a reason, but there’s some risk baked in. If Phoenix successfully slows the pace, this game can land under despite early scoring. Bettors looking to combine plays should be careful with correlated outcomes and review what is a parlay bet and how does round robin parlay work before stacking bets.
Best Bet: Phoenix Suns -4.0 (-108).
NBA Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re betting NBA games regularly, ScoresAndStats is designed for comparison and depth. You can start with today’s NBA picks and see how different experts are attacking the same slate.
The site also makes it easy to zoom out and compare form across the league using the NBA teams hub, which is useful when mixing daily bets with longer-term angles. Futures bettors can stay informed by tracking markets like NBA championship odds predictions and NBA Western Conference odds predictions as the season develops.
