The New Orleans Pelicans (6-29) travel to face off against the Washington Wizards (6-26) on Sunday, January 5th. This game will be played at Capital One Arena in Washington and televised on MNMT. The Pelicans are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Wizards are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Wizards. Tip-off is set for 6:00 ET.

Pelicans vs Wizards

The Pelicans Are Coming Off A Win

The Pelicans improved to 6-29 on the season with a 132-120 win over the Wizards on Friday. Playing at home, New Orleans was favored by 7.5 points and covered the spread. The game’s total points of 252 exceeded the 232.5-point line by 19.5.

After falling behind 37-29 in the 1st quarter, the Pelicans went on an 11-0 run to take control, stretching the score from 70-67 to 78-70. The game was tied at 97 heading into the 4th quarter, where New Orleans pulled away, outscoring Washington 35-23.

The Wizards Are Coming Off A Win

Washington’s season continued to struggle after a 132-120 loss to the Pelicans on Friday, dropping their record to 6-26. The Wizards, who were +7.5 point underdogs, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The game’s total points of 252.5 exceeded the pre-game line of 232.5 by 19.5 points.

Washington started strong, leading 37-29 after the 1st quarter. However, an 11-0 run by the Pelicans shifted the momentum, and the Wizards couldn’t keep up, especially in the 4th quarter, where they were outscored 35-23.

Pelicans Offense Breakdown

CJ McCollum was unstoppable in the Pelicans’ win over the Wizards, hitting 10 threes at a 62.5% rate and finishing with 50 points. He scored 15 points in the 3rd quarter and 16 more in the 4th. As a team, New Orleans hit 18 threes, shooting 43.9% from deep and 50% overall.

Trey Murphy added 17 points despite shooting just 26.3% from the field, and Brandon Boston contributed 13 points on 71.4% shooting. Yves Missi chipped in 8 of his 12 points in the opening quarter.

Wizards Offense Breakdown

In their 132-120 loss to the Pelicans, the Wizards shot 53.6% from the field, but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 9 threes at a 32.1% rate. Jordan Poole led the way with 26 points, adding 7 assists and 4 rebounds, while Alexandre Sarr contributed 19 points and 7 boards.

Poole scored 8 points in each of the first three quarters, but managed just 2 in the 4th. Sarr and Malcolm Brogdon both added 6 points in the final frame, with Brogdon finishing the game with 16 points.

Pelicans Team Defense

Despite a rough start, the Pelicans tightened up defensively in the 4th quarter, allowing just 23 points to help secure the win over the Wizards. New Orleans gave up 37 points in the 1st quarter and 31 in the 2nd, but they improved in the 3rd, allowing 29 points. Overall, they allowed Washington to shoot 53% from the field.

The Pelicans did well in limiting the Wizards from beyond the arc, holding them to just 9 made threes on 32% shooting. New Orleans also recorded 10 steals and 6 blocks in the game.

Wizards Team Defense

Despite a rough start, giving up 37 points in the 1st quarter, the Pelicans tightened up defensively in the 4th, allowing just 23 points to help secure the win. Overall, they allowed 120 points on 53% shooting from the Wizards.

New Orleans did well in limiting Washington’s three-point shooting, holding them to just 9 made threes on 32% shooting. The Pelicans also recorded 10 steals and 6 blocks in the game.

Pelicans vs Wizards Trends

• Through their last ten road games, New Orleans has an ATS record of just 3-7. However, their overall record was 0-10 while averaging 104 points per game.
• Through their last three home games, Washington has an ATS record of just 0-2-1. However, their overall record was 0-3 while averaging 108 points per game.
• Going back to their previous five games as the underdog, Washington has an ATS mark of 3-2 while going 2-3 straight up.
• Going back to their previous five games as the favorite, New Orleans has an ATS mark of 1-4 while going 1-4 straight up.

Pelicans vs Wizards Prediction

Entering the game as underdogs with a spread of +4.5, the Wizards is our point spread pick. Our projections not only see them covering the spread but also indicate a solid chance of an outright victory. This is a good choice for those looking for a higher moneyline payout.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 234.5, and our model projects the Pelicans and Wizards to reach a combined total of 264 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.