Pelicans vs Suns prediction NBA · Saturday, February 27
At a glance
The Phoenix Suns (1-2) host the New Orleans Pelicans (0-4) on Saturday, February 27 at 9:00 PM ET at Mortgage Matchup Center in NBA action. The Basketlog model gives the Suns a 65% chance to win and projects a 112-117 score (Pelicans – Suns), about 230 total points. This season, the Suns are 1-0 at home and the Pelicans are 0-2 on the road. Since the start of the season: 1-2 for the Suns and 0-4 for the Pelicans (current streaks: Suns L1, Pelicans L4). A close game (margin of 5 points or fewer) happens in only 29% of cases according to the model. Reported injuries: Yves Missi (Pelicans) and Mark Williams (Suns). Prediction confidence: medium.
The analysis Model
The Suns are favored, but the gap isn't huge. The model projects Suns 117 – 112 Pelicans, a margin of about 4.9 points in favor of the Suns and a total around 230 points. Expect a game at a standard NBA pace. The Suns will be without Mark Williams. The Pelicans will be without Yves Missi. Early season: the numbers still lean heavily on last season, so confidence stays cautious.
- The Pelicans need to win the pace battle to stay in the game.
- The Pelicans' offense (115.7 pts/game) is the more productive of the two.
- The Suns' defense allows clearly fewer points (113.6 pts/game).
What tips the balance
Scenarios
Stat comparison Current season
NOPHX
Players to watch
Pelicans
Zion WilliamsonF · #121.8pts / game
Dejounte MurrayG · #56.0assists
Derik QueenC · #229.2reboundsSuns
Devin BookerG · #1522.7pts / gameDevin BookerG · #155.3assists
Khaman MaluachC · #107.3reboundsRecent form
NO
107-106L
123-120L
120-119L
141-135 OTL104-91PHX
123-103L119-116L
124-83W
131-122L
125-114Head-to-head
3 meetings scheduled this season.
PHX
Second opinion
Our model compared with ESPN's public model (BPI). When they agree, the prediction is more solid.
✓ Both models pick the same favorite.
Team comparison
| NO | PHX | |
|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | Record | 1-2 |
| 115.7 | Points scored / game | 111.9 |
| 120.5 | Points allowed / game | 113.6 |
| -4.1 | Adjusted margin / game | -1.4 |
| L4 | Current streak | L1 |
| 0-4 | Last 10 games | 1-2 |
| 0-2 road | Home / road record | 1-0 home |
| 26-56 (-4.5) | Last season | 45-37 (+1.5) |
| No | Played yesterday | No |
Injury report Pelicans
Injury report Suns
Probabilities estimated by the Basketlog model from available public data; early in the season they rely heavily on last season. They are neither a certainty nor betting advice.