New Orleans Pelicans vs. Golden State Warriors - 12/20/19 NBA Picks, Odds, and Prediction

Game: New Orleans Pelicans vs Golden State Warriors

Date: Friday, December 20, 2019

Location: Chase Center in San Francisco, CA

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Golden State -1.5

Total/Over-Under: 228

Alec Burks and the Golden State Warriors (5-23, 5th in the Pacific Division) host the New Orleans Pelicans (6-21, 5th in the Southwest Division) at Chase Center on Friday, December 20, 2019. New Orleans opens this contest as 1.5 point dogs. The O/U is set at 228.

The Pelicans cover the spread 33.3% of the time, having gone 9-18-1 ATS. Golden State is covering 42.9% of the time, going 12-16-0 against the spread.

Key New Orleans Pelicans Injuries

12/18/2019 Zion Williamson SF Knee Expected to be out until at least Jan 8
8/29/2019 Darius Miller SF Achilles Expected to be out until at least Apr 1

Key Golden State Warriors Injuries

12/6/2019 Stephen Curry PG Hand Expected to be out until at least Feb 29
10/22/2019 Klay Thompson SG Knee Expected to be out until at least Jun 1

Player Spotlight

Brandon Ingram averages 25.3 points per game in 33.7 minutes per contest. He averages 3.7 assists per contest and 7.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 84%. Jrue Holiday comes into this contest averaging 19.4 points per game while playing 36.0 minutes per night. He pulls down 5.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is at 68%.

Player Spotlight

Eric Paschall averages 15.9 points per game and he sees the court an average of 30.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.0 rebounds per contest and 1.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is 81%. Alec Burks averages 15.4 points per game while playing 29.3 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.5 rebounds per game and has 3.0 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 88%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pelicans allow 118.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 29th in the league. They also allow a 47% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 25th and 24th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 46.5 rebounds a game which ranks 25th, and they give up 25.1 assists per contest which puts them in 21st place in the league. They force 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 16th in the league. New Orleans averages 112.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 10th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -6.7 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 23rd. Behind the arc they shoot 36% which is good for 6th in the league. They average 45.0 rebounds per game and 24.8 assists per contest, which ranks them 17th and 10th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 9th with 15.9 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Warriors surrender 114.0 points per contest, which ranks them 21st in the NBA. Their defense allows a 48% shooting percentage and a 40% average from 3-point range, ranking them 28th and 30th in those defensive statistics. They rank 26th with 25.5 assists allowed per contest, and 19th with 46.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Warriors are 25th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 16.1 per game. Golden State is 26th in the league with 104.6 points per game this year. They are 28th in the league in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -9.4. They shoot 33% from 3-point range, which is good for 28th in the NBA. They are 26th in the league in rebounding with 43.1 boards per game and 16th in assists per contest with 23.7. The Warriors are 19th in turnovers per game with 14.6.

Advanced Statistics

The Pelicans are 20th in the league in defensive rating with 113.8, and their offensive rating of 107.3 is ranked 27th. They are 5th in the NBA in pace with 103.4 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 15th. As a unit they are 19th in the league in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shot attempts, ranking 5th in the NBA. New Orleans is 13th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 54%, which is 7th in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Golden State is 20th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 55%, which is 3rd in the league. The Warriors are 29th in the NBA in offensive rating with 104, and their defensive rating of 113.3 is ranked 25th. In terms of pace they are 17th in the league with 99.9 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 30th. As a team they are 29th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 28th in the league.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Golden State -1.5

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