New Orleans Pelicans vs. Phoenix Suns Prediction: Will Chris Paul and the Suns Control Game 3?

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Phoenix Suns Prediction: Will Chris Paul and the Suns Control Game 3?

Pelicans vs. Suns Game 3 Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

When: 9:30 pm ET

Where to Watch: ESPN

Click Here for Pelicans vs. Suns Game 3 Odds

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Pelicans vs. Suns Game 3 Line Movement

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Phoenix Suns Prediction

Tonight we have a Western Conference affair from the big easy as we get a matchup of the Phoenix Suns vs. the New Orleans Pelicans. The plot has thickened in this series after a game two win by the Pelicans when they were +420 on the moneyline.

The trend of Chris Paul not winning a playoff game officiated by Scott Foster continued as Paul is now 0-14 SU when he plays in a playoff game Foster officiates. The headline of this game, however, came from the injury of all-star guard Devin Booker. Booker, who should finish top five in MVP voting this season, showed some discomfort late in the third quarter. Booker would not return, and now he has been ruled out for the next couple of weeks. This has flipped the script, and now the Pelicans feel as if they have a legitimate chance to pull off the massive upset here.

The spread for tonight’s game is just 1.5 in favor of the Suns. This is a Suns team that has played without Booker or Paul for stretches of the season. The Suns have one of the deepest rosters in all of the NBA, so it’s not like this team will be easy to take down without Booker. They will need some of these bench guys to step up tonight and a few other starters.

The Pelicans, led by Brandon Ingram, are playing with supreme confidence at the moment, and rightfully so. The Pelican's season looked dead in the water the first few weeks, and now here they are at home with a chance to take a 2-1 series lead on the best team in the NBA. The Suns will be a short favorite tonight on the spread. 

I am backing the road team here in the Phoenix Suns. I absolutely love the buy low spot here on the Suns in Booker's absence.

I will not act like this team is in a better position without Booker tonight, but from a betting point of view, this line is a steal in my eyes. This is an experienced Suns team, so the road aspect will not bother them a whole lot. This is a team that made the NBA finals a season ago with one of the best coaches in all of the NBA. They were the odds on favorite to win entering the playoffs. The line should not be this low due to Booker being out.

The other side to this is the Suns are playing as the more desperate team all of a sudden. They do not want to fall down 2-1 on the road, so this game three tonight, they will be prepared for. I love the story on the Pelicans but let’s not forget this is a team that was ten games under .500 during the regular season. I will back the injured Suns tonight in what I expect to be an easy win. 

Pelicans vs. Suns Game 3 Pick

• Phoenix Suns ML (-120) (Bet $120 to Win $100)