Washington Wizards at New Orleans Pelicans Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 1/3/2025 8:00 PM EST

We have your Washington Wizards at New Orleans Pelicans prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Washington Wizards hit the road to face the New Orleans Pelicans.

Washington Wizards at New Orleans Pelicans Odds Info

Best Moneyline Odds: Washington Wizards +215 (FanDuel) / New Orleans Pelicans -260 (FanDuel)
Best Spread Odds: -6.5 - Washington Wizards -110 (Caesars) / New Orleans Pelicans -110 (Caesars)
Best Total Odds: 233.0 - Under -110 (Caesars) / Over -110 (Caesars)

Game Info

Date: 1/3/2025
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Location: Smoothie King Center (New Orleans, LA)
TV: MNMT

Washington Wizards Betting Trends

On the road, the Washington Wizards have 1 wins and 12 losses this season.
As the favorite, the Washington Wizards have 6 wins and 25 losses this season.
Overall this season, the Washington Wizards have 6 wins and 25 losses.

New Orleans Pelicans Betting Trends

At home, the New Orleans Pelicans have 4 wins and 14 losses this season.
As the favorite, the New Orleans Pelicans have 2 wins and 4 losses this season.
Overall this season, the New Orleans Pelicans have 5 wins and 29 losses.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the past three seasons, the Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans have faced each other four times. In these matchups, the Pelicans have emerged victorious in three games, while the Wizards have secured one win. The visiting team has had the upper hand, winning three out of the four games, with the home team only managing one victory. When it comes to covering the spread, both teams have done so twice. The games have generally been high-scoring affairs, with the total score going over the set line in three instances and under in one.

The most recent encounter between these two teams took place on February 14, 2024, with the New Orleans Pelicans defeating the Washington Wizards 133-126. In this game, the Pelicans were the favorites with a point spread of -14.5, but the Wizards managed to cover the spread despite the loss. The game was characterized by strong offensive performances, particularly from Zion Williamson, who led the Pelicans with 36 points, and Deni Avdija of the Wizards, who scored an impressive 43 points. The Pelicans shot 56.2% from the field, while the Wizards shot 47.8%. Turnovers played a crucial role, as the Wizards committed 19 turnovers, leading to 25 points for the Pelicans.

In the other three games, the Pelicans continued to demonstrate their offensive prowess. On December 13, 2023, they won 142-122, covering the spread as favorites. Earlier, on January 9, 2023, they secured a 132-112 victory, again covering the spread. The Wizards' sole victory came on January 28, 2023, when they defeated the Pelicans 113-103, covering the spread as underdogs. Across these games, the Pelicans have consistently been the favorites, with their offensive efficiency often proving decisive. The Wizards, while competitive, have struggled to contain the Pelicans' scoring, particularly in games where the total score exceeded expectations.

Washington Wizards at New Orleans Pelicans Preview

The Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans are set to clash in a matchup that pits the two teams with the worst records in the NBA against each other. The Wizards, with a 6-25 record, have shown signs of life recently, winning three of their last seven games. This includes an impressive 125-107 victory over the Chicago Bulls, where Jordan Poole led the charge with 30 points, continuing his streak of scoring 25 or more points in five consecutive games. The Wizards have been focusing on ball movement and defense, which has been key to their recent improvement, as highlighted by head coach Brian Keefe.

On the other hand, the Pelicans are enduring a challenging season with a 5-29 record, having lost 20 of their last 21 games. Their recent 119-108 loss to the Miami Heat extended their losing streak to 11 games. Despite the struggles, forward Trey Murphy III has been a bright spot, averaging 26.1 points over the last seven games, including a near season-high 34 points against the Heat. The Pelicans have been hampered by injuries to key players, including Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Jose Alvarado, which has significantly impacted their performance.

As the Pelicans prepare to host the Wizards at the Smoothie King Center, they are favored to break their seven-game home losing streak. Despite their struggles, the Pelicans have shown resilience in close games, often falling short by narrow margins. The Wizards, meanwhile, have struggled on the road, with a 1-12 record, and will need to maintain their recent form to challenge the Pelicans. Both teams have had their defensive lapses, with the Pelicans allowing opponents to shoot 48.6% from the field, while the Wizards have allowed 44.4% shooting. This game presents an opportunity for both teams to capitalize on each other's weaknesses and potentially turn their seasons around.

Washington Wizards at New Orleans Pelicans Pick: New Orleans Pelicans Moneyline

The New Orleans Pelicans, despite their challenging season, are positioned to secure a victory against the Washington Wizards in their upcoming matchup. The Pelicans, with a 5-29 record, have been struggling, but they are favored to break their seven-game home losing streak against a Wizards team that has also faced significant difficulties this season. The Pelicans have shown resilience in close games, often falling short by narrow margins, which suggests they are due for a breakthrough.

One of the key factors in favor of the Pelicans is their home-court advantage, albeit limited, as they have managed to secure four wins at the Smoothie King Center this season. Additionally, the Pelicans have historically performed well against the Wizards, winning three of their last four encounters over the past three seasons. This includes a high-scoring victory in their most recent meeting on February 14, 2024, where they triumphed 133-126, showcasing their offensive capabilities.

While the Pelicans are missing key players like Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy III has stepped up significantly, averaging 26.1 points over the last seven games. His recent performances, including a near season-high 34 points against the Miami Heat, highlight his ability to lead the team offensively in the absence of their top scorers. This offensive spark, combined with the Pelicans' ability to capitalize on the Wizards' defensive lapses, positions them well for a win.

On the other hand, the Wizards have struggled on the road, with a dismal 1-12 record, and while they have shown some improvement recently, their inconsistency remains a concern. Despite their recent victory over the Chicago Bulls, the Wizards' overall performance this season has been lackluster, particularly in away games. Their defensive vulnerabilities, allowing opponents to shoot 44.4% from the field, could be exploited by the Pelicans' offense.

Given these factors, the Pelicans are well-placed to secure a victory at home against the Wizards. Their historical success against Washington, combined with their potential to exploit the Wizards' weaknesses, makes them the favored choice for this matchup.

Washington Wizards at New Orleans Pelicans Top Player Prop Picks

Trey Murphy Over 3.5 3Fgm +128 (BetRivers)

Trey Murphy III has been a standout performer for the New Orleans Pelicans, especially in the absence of key players like Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram. Over the last seven games, Murphy has averaged an impressive 26.1 points, showcasing his ability to lead the team's offense. His recent performance against the Miami Heat, where he scored 34 points and matched his season-high with five 3-pointers, highlights his proficiency from beyond the arc. Given the Pelicans' reliance on Murphy to carry the scoring load, and considering the Wizards' defensive vulnerabilities, taking the over on Murphy's 3-point field goals made is a promising bet.

Jordan Poole Over 3.5 Rebounds +135 (DraftKings)

Jordan Poole has been a key contributor for the Washington Wizards, particularly in their recent games where they have shown signs of improvement. Poole has been on a scoring streak, but his overall game has also been impactful, including his contributions on the boards. With the Wizards focusing on ball movement and defense, Poole's role in securing rebounds becomes even more crucial. The Pelicans have struggled defensively, allowing opponents to shoot 48.6% from the field, which could lead to more rebounding opportunities for Poole. Given his recent form and the Wizards' need for a collective effort, betting on Poole to exceed 3.5 rebounds offers value.

Herbert Jones Over 1.5 Steals -105 (DraftKings)

Herbert Jones has been a defensive anchor for the Pelicans, and his ability to disrupt opposing offenses is reflected in his steals. With the Pelicans facing a Wizards team that has been prone to turnovers, as evidenced by their 19 turnovers in their last meeting, Jones is well-positioned to capitalize on these opportunities. His defensive prowess will be crucial in a game where the Pelicans are looking to end their losing streak. The odds for Jones to record over 1.5 steals are favorable, making this a strong prop bet given the context of the matchup and his defensive capabilities.