Suns vs. Pelicans prediction, odds, line: 2022 NBA playoff picks, Game 2 best bets from model on 86-56 run

The New Orleans Pelicans will try to even their best-of-seven first round Western Conference playoff series against the Phoenix Suns at 1-1 when the teams collide in Game 2 on Tuesday night at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. The Pelicans, who are the No. 8 seed in the West in the 2022 NBA playoff bracket, were blown out by the Suns in Game 1, 110-99. New Orleans once trailed by 23 points and cut the deficit to just six in the fourth quarter but could not threaten down the stretch. Meanwhile the Suns, who had the best record in the NBA during the regular season, are looking to take a 2-0 lead into Friday’s Game 3. 

Tipoff for Game 2 is 10 p.m. ET. Phoenix is listed as a 9.5-point favorite in the latest Suns vs. Pelicans odds from Caesars Sportsbook while the over-under for total points scored is 221.5. Before making any Pelicans vs. Suns picks, be sure to check out the NBA playoff predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s advanced computer simulation model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters the first full week of the 2022 NBA playoffs on a stunning 86-56 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning almost $2,400. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Suns vs. Pelicans, and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Pelicans vs. Suns:

• Suns vs. Pelicans spread: Phoenix -9.5 
• Suns vs. Pelicans over-under: 221.5 points 
• Suns vs. Pelicans money line: Phoenix -550, New Orleans +400 
• PHX: Chris Paul led the NBA in assists per game (10.8) 
• NO: Pelicans ranked third in the league in rebound percentage (51.8)
  
  

Why the Suns can cover

Devin Booker has emerged as a bona fide superstar. Since the All-Star break Booker is averaging 30.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists while shooting 52.4 percent from the field, 42.6 percent on 3-pointers and 88.0 percent from the free throw line. Only LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant averaged more points after the All-Star break than Booker.

In addition, Phoenix knows how to close out a game. This season the Suns are 48-0 when leading after three quarters, the most wins in league history without a loss in such situations. Also, in its last 42 games that have been within five points in the final five minutes, Phoenix is 33-9.

Why the Pelicans can cover

New Orleans played relatively well on the interior in Game 1. The Pelicans outrebounded Phoenix 55-35. On the offensive boards, they held a 25-5 edge. Jonas Valanciunas had a game-high 25 rebounds, which was a franchise postseason record.

New Orleans can lean on CJ McCollum’s playoff experience. The former Blazers guard has appeared in 58 postseason games, averaging 20.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists, while shooting .437 from the floor, .384 from 3-point range and .770 from the free throw line. In Game 1 he had a team-high 25 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

How to make Suns vs. Pelicans picks

SportsLine’s model is leaning over on the point total, predicting a combined 225 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in more than 60 percent of simulations. You can only see the model’s Pelicans vs. Suns pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Pelicans vs. Suns? And which side of the spread hits more than 60 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Suns vs. Pelicans spread you need to jump on Tuesday, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.