NBA betting odds, picks and predictions: Wizards vs. Pelicans (Friday 7 August)

Wizards vs. Pelicans Odds, Picks

Probability of wizards6 [BET NOW]
Probability of pelicans-6 [BET NOW]
Moneyline+ 190 / -230 [BET NOW]
UnderNot yet published
Time8 pm ET
TVNBA League Pass

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The Wizards enter this game effectively eliminated from the playoff contest, while the Pelicans are in a bit of trouble after losing three of their first four bubble games.

Will Washington get its first win or will the Pelicans come close to the playoffs?

Washington Wizards

The Wizards are exactly 50% ATS this season at 33-33-2, but they are 1-3 in the bubble. They easily have the worst Net Rating in the bubble at -10.3. They have the second worst eFG% and have struggled to keep anyone on the defensive. It wasn’t nice.

They score 3 points enough that they can stay that close, but they have to get out in transition for their attack to work properly. The Wizards have achieved the ninth highest score of every 100 transitional possessions this season.

The Wizards were fun to watch even winless due to the young talent they are showing off. Troy Brown and Thomas Bryant appear to be making progress by playing against these best opponents.

Bryant averages 19.8 points and 10.3 boards per game in the bubble, and perhaps more importantly he has started taking 3 plus points which will really help his value for this team move forward.

Pelicans of New Orleans

The Pelicans were a crowd favorite to make the Western Conference play-in game and secure the 8-seed. But after a poor start, this is now a game to be won.

They have the third worst Net Rating in the bubble and have struggled to effectively shoot basketball, recording a meager 52.8% eFG%.

They absolutely fought with Zion Williamson off the pitch; it was very important for their offense even with the minute limit. In the season, the Pelicans were 9.4 points for 100 better possessions than with him out. They really need him, and last night he was only able to play 21 minutes in a really tough defeat against the Kings.

The Pels haven’t announced anything on Zion’s minutes for this back-to-back, but it’s definitely something to monitor.

Betting analysis and selection

The Pelicans come to the edge with the eighth highest percentage in the league, and the Wizards have the third worst defense of the circle, according to Cleaning the Glass. Additionally, the Pelicans shoot the fourth best overall percentage from a 3-point distance, and the Wizards are the fourth-worst for preventing those hits. It’s a good match for New Orleans on paper.

This is an absolute must-win for the Pelicans, and I think they secure this win and cover the (practically) eliminated Wizards. But again, be sure to keep track of Zion’s status, as his minutes will be very important to this line.

The PICK: Pelicans -6

[Bet $20+ on the Pelicans at PointsBet and Win $125 if they make at least one 3-pointer]

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