Prediction: New Orleans Pelicans VS Phoenix Suns 2025-11-10
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Phoenix Suns: A Tale of Two Teams Tripping Over Injuries
The New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns are set for a November 10 clash that reads like a tragicomedy of errors. Both teams are nursing aches and pains, but only one will emerge with a win—and it’s not the squad whose offense looks like a toddler trying to assemble a IKEA bookshelf.
Parsing the Odds: Why Phoenix is the Bookmakers’ Boy Toy
The Pelicans, without Zion Williamson (out with a hamstring injury that’s become the NBA’s most consistent punchline), are 8.5-point underdogs. Williamson, who’s played just five games this season, is the team’s gravitational core, averaging 22.8 points. His absence leaves the Pelicans relying on Trey Murphy III (17.8 PPG) and Jordan Poole (17.3 PPG), a duo that sounds like it was drafted from a "What If?" alternate universe. Meanwhile, the Suns, despite losing Jalen Green to a hamstring reinjury (how dramatic), are favored at decimal odds of 1.27-1.29, translating to an 85-87% implied probability of victory. That’s the statistical equivalent of betting on a cat to knock over a glass of water—inevitable.
Phoenix’s +9.9 net rating at home and 5th-ranked defense (107.7 points per game allowed) make them a fortress. New Orleans, meanwhile, is the NBA’s version of a sieve, last in the West with just two wins. The Pelicans’ offensive consistency? Let’s just say it’s about as reliable as a Wi-Fi signal in a submarine.
Injury Montage: When Absurdity Meets Athleticism
The Pelicans’ injury report reads like a "Who’s Who" of NBA misfortune. Zion’s hamstring issue? It’s been longer than his rookie deal. Jordan Poole and Dejounte Murray are also out, leaving New Orleans with the offensive firepower of a team that lost its starter batteries.
The Suns aren’t exactly winning a "Most Likely to Survive" award either. Jalen Green, who returned to score 29 points in his season debut, re-injured his hamstring in a cringe-worthy first-quarter exit. It’s the basketball equivalent of a magician’s rabbit getting a standing ovation for surviving the act. Now, Phoenix must lean on Devin Booker (29.3 PPG, 7.2 APG) to carry the load. Booker’s a star, but even he can’t single-handedly outscore a team’s lack of depth.
The Humor: Because Sports Needs Laughter
The Pelicans’ offense without Zion is like ordering a five-star meal and getting a recipe mistake—confusing, disappointing, and best served with a side of hope. Their 2-7 record? A mathematical masterpiece of futility.
The Suns, on the other hand, are like that friend who always shows up with a plan. Even without Green, their defense is a human moat, and Booker’s scoring is as reliable as your morning coffee. The Pelicans’ Trey Murphy III, meanwhile, is being bet on to stay under 22.5 points (-119 odds). Why? Because his 41-point explosion against the Spurs was a statistical outlier, and the Suns’ defense will treat him like a pop star at a library—quietly impressive, but not allowed to scream.
Prediction: Phoenix’s Net Rating vs. New Orleans’ Net Loss
This is a mismatch in all but the most technical of senses. The Suns’ home-court advantage, defensive prowess, and Booker’s star power give them a clear edge. The Pelicans, without Zion and a coherent offensive strategy, are the NBA’s version of a participation trophy.
Final Verdict: Bet on the Phoenix Suns to win by double digits. The Pelicans might as well bring a "How to Win at Basketball" manual—they’ll need it.
And if you’re feeling spicy, take the UNDER 226.5 points (-110). With two teams limping into the arena, this game might not have enough healthy legs to hit the over.
Go Phoenix! Or as they say in the desert: “We’re not in New Orleans anymore, Zion.” 🌵🏀
Created: Nov. 10, 2025, 4:17 p.m. GMT