The Pick: UNDER 46.5 at odds of -150 (bet365)
Zion Williamson, who missed the team’s recent game against the Miami Heat (among several others), remains out for the New Orleans Pelicans. This is a team that needs its star player to both return from injury and play well in order to inject some hope into New Orleans’ season.
Furthermore, the Pelicans might also need Williamson to stay healthy for the balance of the season in order to make them contenders. Given his injury history, that is a big ask as we look at New Orleans and their win total at this point in the NBA season.
New Orleans Pelicans win-total (bet365): 46.5 (simplified perspective)
- Current winning rate: 55.32%
- The winning rate needed for OVER 46.5: 57.32%
- Difference: -2.0%
- Simplified conclusion: the Pelicans are behind their win-total projection
As of January 23rd, 2023, the New Orleans Pelicans have a win total of 46.5 (bet365). If you used their current winning percentage, then they would be heading toward the UNDER in regard to that win total. If you are at all skeptical of Williamson and the likelihood that he will satisfy the three conditions below, then you should be among the contingent of bettors that take the UNDER:
- Condition 1: William needs to return from injury soon
- Condition 2: He needs to be playing well without any rust
- Condition 3: He needs to stay healthy and fit for almost all of New Orleans’ remaining games
Each condition could draw plenty of skepticism. For Condition 1, Williamson is expected to be re-evaluated soon — however, that doesn’t mean that he will necessarily return soon. For Condition 2, there are plenty of times when an injured player returning to action needs some games to get back into form. For Condition 3, at this point, no one that has followed Williamson’s career would bank him on staying healthy.
Accordingly, bettors should be taking a look at the Pelicans’ recent form. A lot of the games in the chart below were played with Williamson on the bench. The Pelicans are well off the winning rate that they need in order to clear 46.5.
New Orleans Pelicans: Recent Form Alert
- Formerly: 23 – 12 on December 31st, 2022
- Currently: 26 – 21 (overall)
- Recent form: 3 – 9 since December 31st, 2022
- Recent winning rate: 25.0%
- New Orleans Pelicans’ recent form: -32.32% compared to what they need
Our recommendation with New Orleans is for the UNDER. Take that at -150 (2/3) with bet365 as the firm may just lower the win-total projection
New Orleans Pelicans betting recommendation
- UNDER 46.5 wins at odds of -150 (2/3) with bet365
- Our recent NBA Power Rankings