Washington Wizards at New Orleans Pelicans NBA Picks & Predictions 3/9/2018

Friday, March 9, 2018

Smoothie King Center

Get todays NBA odds and lines on this game.

The Washington Wizards head to Smoothie King Center to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, March 9, 2018. The opening line for this game has New Orleans as 2 point favorites.

The Wizards come into this game with an overall record of 37-28. They are 1st in the Southeast Division. They currently have a point differential of 1.6 as they are averaging 107.1 points per game while giving up 105.5 per contest. The Pelicans have an overall record of 38-26. They currently are 2nd in the Southwest Division. They are averaging 112.5 points per game and surrendering 111.5, good for a point differential of 1.0.

Valuable Washington Wizards Betting Trends

The Washington Wizards are 31-33-1 against the spread

The Washington Wizards are 28-35-2 against the over/under

Important New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

The New Orleans Pelicans are 36-28-0 against the spread

The New Orleans Pelicans are 39-25-0 against the over/under

Key Washington Wizards Injuries

03/08/18 F Otto Porter Jr. Hip injured last game, is "?" Friday vs New Orleans
01/31/18 PG John Wall Knee is OUT 6-8 weeks

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

10/20/17 C Alexis Ajinca Knee is out indefinitely
10/14/17 F Solomon Hill Hamstring is out indefinitely
03/08/18 F Anthony Davis Ankle injured last game, is "?" Friday vs Washington
01/27/18 F DeMarcus Cousins Achilles is out for season

Player Spotlight

Otto Porter comes into this game averaging 15 points per contest while playing 32.1 minutes per night so far this year. He grabs 6.5 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.1 assists per game. His FG percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is 84%. Bradley Beal averages 23.5 points per contest in 36.7 minutes per game this year. He averages 4.6 assists per game and 4.5 rebounds per contest for Washington. His field goal percentage is 46% for the season while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

Jrue Holiday has scored 19.4 points per contest while playing 36.6 minutes per game this season for the Pelicans. He hauls in 4.4 rebounds per contest and has 5.8 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 80%. Anthony Davis averages 28.1 points per game this year and he's on the court an average of 36.5 minutes per game. He also brings in 11.1 rebounds per game and 2.3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 54% and his free throw percentage is 83%.

Useful Team Statistics

Washington averages 107.1 points per contest this year, which is 11th in the league. Their average scoring margin is 1.57 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a unit, which has them ranked 11th. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 5th in the NBA. They average 43 boards per contest and 24.6 assists per game, which ranks them 20th and 5th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 15th with 14.5 per game. The Wizards allow 105.5 points per contest which is 14th in the NBA. They also surrender a 46% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 13th and 2nd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 42.8 rebounds a game which ranks 14th, and they allow 21.6 assists per game which puts them in 9th place in the league. They force 15 turnovers per game which ranks them 24th in the NBA.

Useful Team Statistics

New Orleans is 3rd in the NBA with 112.5 points per contest this season. They are 2nd in the league in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 0.95. They shoot 37% from beyond the arc, which is good for 14th in the league. They are 15th in the NBA in rebounding with 43.9 boards per contest and 2nd in assists per game with 26.6. The Pelicans are 8th in turnovers per contest with 15.2. The Pelicans give up 111.5 points per game, which ranks them 29th in the league. Their defense is surrendering a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 14th and 10th in those defensive statistics. They rank 21st with 24.2 dimes allowed per game and 25th with 45.2 boards surrendered per contest. The Pelicans are 16th in the league in forcing turnovers with 14.5 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Wizards are 10th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.8, and their defensive rating of 108.2 is ranked 18th. In terms of pace they are 16th in the league with 96.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 12th. As a team they are 12th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shots, ranking 24th in the league. Washington is 15th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 20th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New Orleans is 12th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 18th in the league. The Pelicans are 8th in the NBA in offensive rating with 110.1, and their defensive rating of 109.2 is ranked 15th. In terms of pace they are 2nd in the league with 100.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 4th. As a team they are 4th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 17th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Wizards/Pelicans NBA game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Washington +2

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