Can the Pels stand up to the capital?

The Wizards welcome the stumbling Pelicans. While they have had a great start to the season in Washington, things are bleak for the visitors. Without their top player Zion Williamson, the franchise from the Southwest Division can’t get off the ground. In fact, the Pels are only second to last in the Western Conference standings.

Now, however, the personnel situation has at least brightened somewhat with the return of Brandon Ingram, while the hosts will be without their best shooter Bradley Beal.

For the game at Capital One Arena between the Wizards and Pelicans, the forecast includes an away win, including a positive handicap of 6.5 points in favour of the visitors.

Washington Wizards – Statistics & current form

The Washington Wizards have made a great start to the new season: The selection of head coach Wes Unseld Jr. has especially stabilised the defence. While they were still among the weakest in the NBA last season, they currently occupy a very respectable fourth place in the defensive rating.

Even the champions from Milwaukee recently only scored 94 points in their defeat in D.C. Newcomer Montrezl Harrell has also made a good start. The best “Sixth Man” of the 2020 season has now added much more depth to the Wizards’ bench.

In addition, Kyle Kuzma seems to feel comfortable in the capital: The former LA Lakers player has already delivered five double-doubles with points and boards with his new employer in the Southeast Division! Especially his rebounding has improved: Kuzma is averaging 9.1 rebounds per game, more than three rebounds above his career high.

Predicted Washington Wizards lineup:
Kuzma – Caldwell-Pope – Gafford – Beal – Dinwiddie

New Orleans Pelicans – Statistics & recent form

The New Orleans Pelicans currently have strong personnel concerns, as described at the beginning. Zion Williamson has not played a single game this season and will continue to be absent for the time being. To make matters worse, Brandon Ingram was injured, which meant that two strong players were absent.

The latter player, however, has been available again since last matchday and his return has immediately spurred the Pels on, as they recorded their second win of the season against Memphis.

In view of this, the odds on Ingram scoring more than 20.5 points in the Wizards’ game against the Pels are also value bets. In addition, bets on more than 101.5 points by the visitors due to his comeback are also a good option. In four of his seven completed games this season, the Pelicans exceeded the selected limit in points.

Only the Grizzlies are weaker defensively league-wide

In the meantime, however, the losses could not be compensated for and this was true with regard to the defence, among other things: The Memphis Grizzlies alone concede more points per 100 possessions. Once again, head coach Willie Green’s team is only third from last in net rating with a value of -9.1. Furthermore, the visitors’ away record so far does not give them much hope: Six of the seven matches they have played away from home have ended in defeat.

Valanciunas takes on more responsibility

With the personnel situation, Jonas Valanciunas is particularly important at the moment. The centre from Lithuania is also delivering. For example, with an impressive average of 13.8 rebounds per game, third best in the NBA, but even his very stable performances could not change the bad situation in NOLA lately.

Moreover, the Big Easy expected more from newcomer Devonte Graham. The point guard came from the Hornets, but has been too inconsistent in his performances so far.

Predicted line-up of New Orleans Pelicans:
Temple – Alexander-Walker – Valanciunas – Hart – Graham

Washington Wizards – New Orleans Pelicans Head-to-head comparison / H2H record

The basket hunters from the Federal City won the last direct duel by a razor-thin margin of two points and only after overtime. Thanks to the victory, the Wizards remained unbeaten at home against the visitors from Louisiana for the sixth time in a row. For the upcoming clash between Washington and New Orleans, the odds are leaning towards a continuation of this series.

Washington Wizards – New Orleans Pelicans Tip

The home side from the “District” will play a much better role this season than in recent years. A prediction that is easy to make in view of the performances shown so far.

Admittedly, it is a bit surprising, since the Wizards gave away Russell Westbrook, a top player in the NBA, to the Lakers in the off-season, but without “Brodie” things are even better now. The reason is an almost completely new starting five, in which Bradley Beal, as the only remaining player, has apparently now found the right teammates.

However, Beal will not play due to personal reasons, which is why the Wizards’ game against the Pelicans offers good odds on an away win, including a handicap of +6.5 points, for the visitors. The home side are still favourites for the match, but there are no signs of a defeat for NOLA.

This is also supported by the two recent victories of the home side, which were close despite easy opponents like Orlando. In addition, Brandon Ingram, an important player on the side of the professionals from Mississippi, is available again. Unibet offers betting odds of 1.72 on the clash between the Wizards and Pelicans.