The New Orleans Pelicans (8-31) and Washington Wizards (10-26) meet Friday at 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Pelicans vs. Wizards odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
2024-25 season series: Pelicans won 2-0
The Pelicans lost to the Atlanta Hawks 117-100 Wednesday, failing to cover as a 10.5-point road underdog with the Under (246.5) hitting. F Zion Williamson scored a team-high 22 points in New Orleans’ ninth straight defeat. It has gone 1-8 against the spread (ATS) in that span, to drop to 20-18-1 ATS on the season.
The Wizards lost to the Philadelphia 76ers 131-110 Wednesday, failing to cover as a 16.5-point road underdog as the Over (234.5) cashed. G Tre Johnson led the way with 20 points. In the last few days, the Wizards have traded star G CJ McCollum (averaging 18.8 points per game) to the Hawks for G Trae Young, who won’t be active for this one. Washington has gone 5-3 straight up and ATS across its last 8 games. It is 15-21 ATS on the season.
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Pelicans at Wizards odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:53 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pelicans -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Wizards +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pelicans -2.5 (-110) | Wizards +2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 241.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Pelicans at Wizards key injuries
Pelicans
- G Jose Alvardo (oblique) out
- F Saddiq Bey (hip flexor) out
- F Herbert Jones (ankle) doubtful
- F Trey Murphy III (back) questionable
- G Dejounte Murray (Achilles) out
Wizards
- F Corey Kispert (trade pending) out
- G CJ McCollum (trade pending) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Pelicans at Wizards picks and predictions
Prediction
Wizards 125, Pelicans 119
BET WIZARDS (+115).
The Pelicans have been absolutely awful over the last few weeks. They are coming off a 17-point loss to the Hawks and have a 19-point loss at Miami, an 8-point loss vs. the Los Angeles Lakers and a 13-point loss vs. the Portland Trail Blazerssince the new year. New Orleans has failed to cover in 5 straight games.
The Wizards, despite having traded McCollum, have looked much better as of late. Many of their young talented players, like C Alex Sarr, have stepped up. They have scored at least 114 points in 4 of their last 5 games and have gone 4-2 ATS in their last 6 home contests.
Considering those trends, take WIZARDS (+115).
PASS.
While the spread here is playable, the preferred route is on the moneyline.
BET OVER 241 (-115).
Neither team defends well at all. The Pelicans rank 27th in the NBA in defensive rating, while the Wizards sit 29th, only in front of the Utah Jazz.
The tempo is something to factor in as well, and the Pelicans rank ninth and the Wizards seventh in pace, suggesting it should be a fast game with ample scoring opportunities.
Back OVER 241 (-115).
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