Pelicans Seek Upset at Suns in Game 5 Tuesday on TNT

Three years ago, the New Orleans Pelicans proclaimed a savior.  New Orleans won the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery.  When the lottery ball was selected, videos of team employees going berserk went viral.  Finally, the Pelicans would become a “thing” in New Orleans.  Zion Williamson went first overall in the 2019 NBA Draft.  Sadly, that was the peak of his career.  Somehow, the Pelicans made the Playoffs after an upstart NBA betting performance in the play-in tournament.  And then, when Phoenix marquee man Devin Booker got hurt, a door opened for a potential upset.

New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns CashBet Wagering Analysis

To be exact, a team like the Pelicans requires a lot of sportsbook courage.  The type of nerve that the casual masses rarely possess.  The loss of Booker got the squares off the Suns after jumping on them when the series began.  Now the masses don’t know what to think of this series.  They still are scared of stepping into the Suns with New Orleans.  But they are not thrilled at taking Phoenix without Booker.

In like manner, the Wise Guys are playing this series cautiously.  Sharps never like to lay points.  Especially when a team is shorthanded.  However, Wise Guys do like that Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton have the potential to pick up the slack for the Suns.

Are the Pels Better Without Zion?

Owing to his inability to stay in the lineup, Zion Williamson has not been worth the massive contract paid to him.  He has not come close to fulfilling the hype of being the first overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft.  Most important of all, his refusal to keep at a good playing weight has decimated the New Orleans franchise.

New Orleans is making its current betting on NBA playoff run without Zion.  He is doubtful to return in the postseason.  This all brings back memories of the 2020 NBA Playoffs.  Specifically, the Association rigged the format to get the Pelicans in.  But Zion’s lackluster performance was a ratings bomb and an NBA letdown.

First-year head coach Willie Green has done an excellent job of getting the Pelicans to rise to the postseason occasion.  In the same way, the Pels have earned pro basketball betting respect by winning without Zion.

New Orleans Sees New Stars Emerge

Thus far, Brandon Ingram has been outstanding in the postseason with 29.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per contest.  He averaged 22.7 points per game in the regular season.  And then CJ McCollum averages 26 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists in the basketball betting playoffs.  Meanwhile, center Jonas Valanciunas is rocking the Windex with a whopping 16.3 rebounds per playoff game.

Phoenix Top Three is Down to Two

Devin Booker is out until early May with a hamstring injury.  Therefore, the pressure has transferred to Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton.  Paul is averaging 25 points and 12.7 assists per game in the playoffs.  Paul is a 12-time NBA All-Star, and veteran excellence is needed like never before for the Suns.  Accordingly, he is one of the greatest point guards in NBA history.

Also rising to the occasion for the Suns is center Deandre Ayton.  In the postseason, Ayton averages 19.7 points and 11.7 rebounds per playoff game.  Ayton averaged 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game in the regular season.

Owing to Paul and Ayton stepping up, Phoenix has the realistic goal of trying to survive until Booker gets back.

New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns CashBet Free Pick  

As mentioned earlier, the Suns are getting strong production from their top two players that remain on the roster.  Of major concern is the Pelicans’ offense which was not an NBA gambling asset this season.

Pelicans at Suns CashBet Best Bet

Phoenix Suns