New Orleans Pelicans (28-40) welcome Phoenix Suns (54-14) at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 5:30 AM (IST) in the regular 2021/22 NBA Season. Here, you can find everything you want to know about New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns, such as the match details, recent form, player to watch out for, match prediction and much more.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns: Match Details
Date: Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Time: 5:30 AM IST OR 7:00 PM ET (March 15)
Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans
Recent Form
New Orleans Pelicans have been in poor form recently. In the last five fixtures, they have won once, losing four times (LLLLW). However, they are 5-5 in their last 10 games.
Phoenix Suns have been in decent form recently. In the last five fixtures, they have won thrice, losing two times (LWWLW). They are 6-4 in their last 10 games.
The Pelicans currently sit in tenth place in the Western Conference. While the Suns are positioned nine places above them, in first place in the Western Conference.
Their last meeting took place on February 25, 2022 and it ended in a 117-102 win for the Pelicans away in Phoenix. This will be their fourth meeting in the 2021-2022 NBA season.
Player to Watch
New Orleans Pelicans– Jonas Valanciunas
In the probable absence of two of their best players, Jonas Valanciunas will be the man to watch for the Pelicans.
Valanciunas is averaging 17.7 Points (third-most), 11.4 Rebounds (most) and 0.9 Blocks (most) for New Orleans this season.
However, he also has the most Fouls per game (3.3) for the Pelicans, which makes him a player to watch out for.
Phoenix Suns– Devin Booker
Devin Booker is averaging 25.5 Points (most) and 4.8 Assists (second-most) for the Suns this season.
Booker had 30 Points and 10 assists in Phoenix’s last game, a 29 point win against the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, he also has the joint-most Fouls (2.5) and joint-most Turnovers (2.4) per game for the Suns, which makes him a player to watch out for.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns: Key Points
- New Orleans are 16-19 at home, while the Suns are 25-6 away.
- The Pelicans star players, Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum are doubtful for this game.
- Phoenix superstar Chris Paul is OUT of this match due to a fractured thumb.
- Deandre Ayton of the Suns has the third-highest Field goal percentage (64.4) this NBA campaign.
- In their last head-to-head, Jonas Valanciunas had game leading 17 Rebounds.
New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns: Match Prediction
New Orleans are slight underdogs for this game. Oddsmakers are marginally favoring Phoenix Suns, especially because of their away record and potential absentees in the opposition dugout.
Predicted Winner: Phoenix Suns
Check out our fantasy sports section for more such match previews and predictions for fantasy football, fantasy cricket, fantasy kabaddi.
Feature Image Credit: Twitter
Disclaimer: All our picks are based on an in-depth analysis of the stats between two playing teams. Please use these stats/teams as a reference for preparing your own teams.
