New Orleans Pelicans vs Golden State Warriors Odds, Props, Predictions & Picks (Jan. 10)

Odds as of Jan. 10 at ESPN Bet. Lock in SBD’s ESPN Bet promo code to land $150 in bonus wagers.

The current NBA playoff bracket shows the Warriors on the outside looking in, sitting one game behind the Lakers for the #10 seed and 4.5 back of the Pelicans, who hold the sixth and final automatic berth into the first round in the West.

Both teams are likely to be missing key pieces in Wednesday’s NBA lineups. The Warriors are without Chris Paul (8.9 PPG, 7.2 APG) while Zion Williamson (21.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG) and Jose Alvarado (6.9 PPG, 2.5 RPG) are both questionable for the Pels.

Warriors Stuck in (Another) Rut

The Warriors looked to have turned a corner in late December when they strung together five straight wins to get back above .500, including a 132-126 win over league-leading Boston. But that ended with a narrow 120-114 loss at Denver on Christmas Day, which spiraled into a 2-5 skid over the past seven games.

After escaping the league-worst Pistons (113-109 home) on Friday, the Dubs were outclassed by the retooled Raptors on Sunday (133-118 home).

Fingers were firmly pointed at Steph Curry after the loss. The future Hall-of-Famer was just 2-of-14 from the field for nine points, six assists, and one rebound over 30 minutes. That was the second time this season Curry was held to single digits, something which didn’t happen all of last year. Though he still leads the team in scoring (27.1 PPG) and Player Efficiency Rating (20.6), and had scored at least 25 in four straight prior to the Toronto setback.

The Warriors, as a team, have a shockingly pedestrian Offensive Rating (116.3, 13th in the NBA), which is only one-tenth better than their Defensive Rating of 116.2 (21st). Last season they finished top ten in O-Rating and 14th in D-Rating.

Pelicans (Mostly) Dominating

Since a devastating 116-115 home loss to Memphis on Dec. 26, when they blew a 13-point fourth-quarter lead, the Pelicans have been near perfect. They have won five of their last six, including a massively impressive 117-106 victory at the West-leading Minnesota Timberwolves.

Their only loss in that span was a lethargic 111-95 setback at the Clippers on Friday. But they responded with vigor two days later, demolishing the Kings 133-100 in Sacramento, a game they led by as many as fifty.

Though they rank just 14th in Offensive Rating (116.0), the Pelicans are getting significant contributions from myriad sources. Brandon Ingram (22.3 PPG) leads the team in scoring while Williamson (21.8 PPG) and CJ McCollum (20.0 PPG) are both over twenty and four other players are in double-figures: Jonas Valanciunas (14.0), Trey Murphy III (13.6), Herb Jones (10.7), and rookie Jordan Hawkins (10.3).

Defense has been the team’s calling card this season and New Orleans is currently sixth in the NBA in Defensive Rating (111.6).

Pelicans vs Warriors Player Props

Player props from the DraftKings app. 

As he often does, Curry (28.5 O/U) has the highest point total in the NBA props for Pelicans vs Warriors. With neither center listed at DraftKings, the highest rebound total is just 6.5 for Ingram.

Pelicans vs Warriors Prediction

The Pelicans at their best are becoming a scary proposition. They have a handful of wins this season that position them as a legitimate NBA title threat, including at ten-point win at the Clippers and an 11-point win at the Timberwolves.

New Orleans has also won six straight road games dating back to Dec. 7.

At the same time, they are not immune from lackluster outings, and with Williamson either out or slowed, they aren’t going to be at full strength.

The last time Steph was held to single-digit points (at Portland on Dec. 17), he responded with a 33-point, six assist gem in the home win over Boston. Expect another bounce-back from one of the league’s all-time greats.

Pelicans vs Warriors pick: Warriors moneyline (+105) – two units 

Sascha Paruk’s 2023-24 NBA betting record:

• 10-8-2 ATS (+1.41 units)
• 10-11 ML (-1.17 units)
• 5-11 player props (-6.60 units)
• 0-1 same-game parlay (-2.00 units)

All wagers one unit unless expressly stated otherwise.