- We’ve made our Warriors vs Pelicans prediction for Friday night’s NBA Cup game
- The latest Friday NBA odds heavily favor the Warriors on the road
- Read below for Warriors vs Pelicans prediction, odds, and latest injury updates
The 2024 NBA Cup continues Friday night with a lopsided Western Conference matchup. The Golden State Warriors (11-3) visit the Big Easy to take on the New Orleans Pelicans (4-12) at 7:30 PM EST on ESPN.
This cross-divisional clash features two teams heading in opposite directions early in the season. The Warriors are laying a whopping 9.5 points on the road, with the total set at 222.5.
Here is our Warriors vs Pelicans prediction, along with Friday NBA betting odds and the latest injury updates.
Warriors vs Pelicans Prediction
The Warriors have owned this head-to-head series in recent years, winning 48 of the 76 all-time meetings. They’ve already beaten the Pelicans twice this season, cruising to double-digit victories at home in late October.
Golden State’s dominance over New Orleans is even more impressive, considering Stephen Curry missed both of those games. The two-time MVP is probable to suit up Friday despite dealing with a minor knee issue.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans are one of the most banged-up teams in the league. Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum and Dejounte Murray are among the starters currently sidelined, leaving the roster extremely thin.
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With Williamson reportedly “not remotely close” to returning from a hamstring injury, the Pelicans will need to lean heavily on the likes of Jordan Hawkins and Antonio Reeves. The young duo has shown flashes but isn’t ready to carry an NBA offense, especially against an elite defense like Golden State’s.
The Warriors rank 5th in the NBA in scoring defense, allowing just 109.1 points per game. They also lead the league in assists (30.5) and rank 3rd in scoring (119.6).
The Pelicans have the talent to compete when healthy, but they simply don’t have the horses to keep up with the Warriors right now. The absence of Williamson and Ingram, in particular, will be too much to overcome against the deeper, more experienced Dubs.
My prediction is for the Warriors to easily cover the 9.5-point spread on the road and hand the Pelicans their fourth straight loss. The lean is narrowly to the under 222.5 points, with New Orleans’ offensive limitations likely leading to a lower-scoring game.
Friday NBA Pick:
- Warriors -9.5 (-120)
Warriors vs Pelicans Odds
Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Warriors | -9.5 (-120) | -550 | O 222.5 (-105) |
Pelicans | +9.5 (Even) | +380 | U 222.5 (-115) |
The Warriors are massive 9.5-point road favorites, which translates to an 84.6% implied probability of winning straight up. On the flip side, the Pelicans are +380 moneyline underdogs, giving them just a 20.8% implied probability of pulling off the upset at home.
The game total of 222.5 points suggests oddsmakers are expecting a relatively high-scoring contest despite New Orleans’ injuries. However, the juice is shaded slightly to the under at -115, indicating some skepticism about both teams reaching their usual offensive heights.
Early betting action has been all over Golden State, with 84% of spread bets and 90% of the handle backing the road favorites. This one-sided pattern has caused the line to tick up from Warriors -9 to -9.5 since opening.
Odds as of November 22, 2024, at ESPN Sportsbook. Sign up with the ESPN bet promo to wager on Friday’s NBA action.
Golden State vs New Orleans Injury Report
Team | Player | Status | Injury |
---|---|---|---|
Warriors | Stephen Curry | Probable | Knee |
Warriors | Reece Beekman | Out | Undisclosed |
Warriors | De’Anthony Melton | Out for Season | Knee |
Pelicans | Zion Williamson | Out | Hamstring |
Pelicans | Brandon Ingram | Questionable | Ankle |
Pelicans | CJ McCollum | Out | Undisclosed |
Pelicans | Dejounte Murray | Out | Hand |
Pelicans | Herbert Jones | Out | Shoulder |
Pelicans | Jose Alvarado | Out | Hamstring |
Pelicans | Yves Missi | Questionable | Shoulder |
Injuries will play a major factor in this matchup, especially for the decimated Pelicans. Willie Green’s squad has six players listed as out and two more questionable, leaving them with a MASH unit supporting cast around Jordan Hawkins and Antonio Reeves.
Getting Curry back would be a big boost for the Warriors, even if he’s not 100%. The main concern is the season-ending loss of De’Anthony Melton, who was a key part of the backcourt rotation. Still, Golden State has the depth to withstand his absence much better than New Orleans can handle its myriad of injuries.
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The highly anticipated matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the New Orleans Pelicans on November 22nd is sure to be an exciting game for basketball fans. Both teams have had their fair share of ups and downs so far this season, making this game even more intriguing.
In terms of predictions, the Warriors are coming into this game with a record of 10-8, while the Pelicans are sitting at 6-12. Despite the Warriors having a better record, the Pelicans have shown flashes of brilliance and have the potential to pull off an upset. However, with the Warriors having a healthy Stephen Curry leading the charge, they are likely to come out on top in this matchup.
As for the odds, most sportsbooks have the Warriors as the favorites to win this game. The odds may vary depending on the sportsbook, but it is clear that the Warriors are expected to have the upper hand in this contest.
In terms of injury updates, both teams have had their fair share of injuries this season. The Warriors have dealt with injuries to key players such as Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, but both are expected to be back in action for this game. The Pelicans have also had their own injury woes, with Zion Williamson still sidelined with a foot injury. His absence will be a big blow to the Pelicans, as he is one of their best players.
Overall, this game is shaping up to be an exciting matchup between two talented teams. With the Warriors being the favorites and having a healthy roster, they are likely to come out on top in this game. However, anything can happen in basketball, so fans will have to tune in to see how it all unfolds on November 22nd.