NOP vs PHX Dream11 Prediction NBA Live New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns

NOP vs PHX Dream11: The NBA Playoffs are bringing us beautiful battles and some bottom-ranked teams are refusing to go away quietly. The two NBA Finals last season have already seen a huge fightback from their competitors. The Bucks saw the Bulls pull through a brilliant win and the Suns faced a defeat as Devin Booker went down due to injury. Can they recover here without Booker?

The Suns lost the last game 114:125 as their energy and confidence got sucked out due to Booker’s injury. However, coach Monty Williams still has the Floor General Chris Paul at his disposal and perhaps he will make the needed adjustments. Brandon Ingram put on a show in the last game and that is why the Pelicans fans have been filled with a lot of hope and wondering if there is an upset in the making, will there be an upset indeed?

Host: New Orleans Pelicans
Visitors: Phoenix Suns
Match Timing: 23 April, @ 07:00 AM (+05:30 UTC)
Venue: Smoothie King Center

NBA Projections, Stats & Analysis

Pelicans will be confident but the Suns still have the tools

The Pelicans didn’t look like in the game until Booker was in and was having one of his special nights, having bulked up 31 points in first half alone. Chris Paul just shot 5/16 and was unable to close the game as he usually does. Jae Crowder struggled even more, only able to nail two of his eleven attempts. Overall, the Suns weren’t terrible by any standards, making 50% of their Field Goals but it was their second-half defense that held them behind.

The Pelicans shot an astounding 55% while making an amazing 56% of their threes, converting 17 of them. The team also outrebounded the Suns 43:33 which also played a huge role while the team also moved the ball well, having 32 assists. Both McCollum and Ingram had a solid all-around game and when Ingram took control of the game, the Suns stood no chance. The Pelicans accumulated a 34:22 third quarter, the period when Booker went down due to injury.

Without Booker, Bridges and Ayton will have to elevate their games, and both of them can surely do it. Cameron Johnson will also see an uptick in his minutes and the Suns even without Booker can be a well-coordinated unit. The ball will need to move much more but Bridges has shown isolation capabilities. Booker also is a strong defensive presence and the Suns will need to play much better defense than they did in the second half of Game 2.

Fantasy-related tips

With Booker out, Bridges’ fantasy stocks should rise as his touches will increase. The stocks of Paul will of course bolster and he is already such a dependable fantasy pick. In terms of fantasy value, Jonas Valanciunas has outplayed Suns’ Deandre Ayton so far but not by a long distance. Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum will be rostered even more with Booker out and Ingram opened up the floodgates in the last game. Larry Nance Jr has seen an intense increase in fantasy value considering his highly inspiring play. Jaxson Hayes’ production has dipped but he and Herbert both remain viable fantasy options. Cameron Johnson will see an increase in his minutes and it may not be a bad idea to include him in the schemes.

Performances Predictions
Top Scorer: CJ McCollum: 32
Top Rebounder: Jonas Valanciunas: 14
Highest assists deliverer: Chris Paul: 13
Scoreline Prediction: Suns 116 Pelicans 110

New Orleans Pelicans vs Phoenix Suns NBA Live, Team News and Lineups

Phoenix Suns Team News

Dario Saric remains OUT for an indefinite period.
Devin Booker is OUT for the game

Suns Expected Starting Five
Defensive Forward: Jae Crowder
Slashing Wing and Defensive Specialist: Mikal Bridges
Inside Presence: C: Deandre Ayton
Two-way Wing: SF: Cameron Johnson
Floor General: PG: Chris Paul

BENCH: Elfrid Payton, Bismack Biyombo, Torrey Craig, Javale McGee, Landry Shamet, Ismail Wainright.

New Orleans Pelicans News

Zion Williamson is OUT for the game and perhaps will not return this season.
Kira Lewis Jr. remains OUT for the season.

Pelicans Expected Starting Five

Athletic Forward: PF: Jaxson Hayes
Defensive Forward: F: Herbert Jones
Rebounding Specialist: C: Jonas Valanciunas
All-around Wing: SF: Brandon Ingram
Scoring Guard: G: CJ McCollum

BENCH: Devonte Graham, Gary Clarke, Naji Marshall, Jose Alvarado, Willy Hernangomez, Trey Murphy III, Garrett Temple.

NBA Scores, Fantasy Basketball Top Picks

CJ McCollum(NOP)
Points: 23
Rebounds: 08
Assists: 09
Steals: 01
McCollum has been one of the major reasons why the Pelicans have been able to make it thus far, first, he has addressed the three-point shooting needs and then he has shown the willingness to move the ball around. I expect a 26-32 points, 5-8 assists, and 4-7 rebounds range here.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 42-65

Chris Paul(PHX)
Points: 17
Rebounds: 01
Assists: 14
Steals: 01
The Point Guard will have more responsibilities without Devin Booker and he will be expected to also up his scoring. Paul shot 5/16 from the floor in the last game but didn’t commit even a single turnover. I expect a 16-22 points and 10-13 assists range here.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 34-48

Brandon Ingram(NOP)
Points: 37
Rebounds: 11
Assists: 09
Steals: 01
Blocks: 01
The springy wing Ingram shot 13/21 in the last game and showcased his all-around game. He had a strong second half and hit all his three attempts from long range while also converting all his eight free-throw attempts. He can be in 25-31 points, 6-9 rebounds, and 5-8 assists range.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 40-60

Deandre Ayton(PHX)
Points: 10
Rebounds: 09
Assists: 04
Ayton has a sizeable impact in the paint and his ability to get high-quality inside shots can help the Suns overcome a dry stretch on offense. Apart from that, he is a strong rebounder and defender. I expect a 16-22 points and 10-13 rebounds range.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 25-40

Jonas Valanciunas(NOP)
Points: 10
Rebounds: 13
Assists: 03
Steals: 01
Jonas is the leading rebounder for the Pelicans and he can also provide more than decent offense and act as the last-line-of-defense in the paint. He can conjure up 13-19 points and 12-16 rebounds range here.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 24-36

Mikal Bridges(PHX)
Points: 19
Rebounds: 06
Assists: 02
Steals: 01
Blocks: 01
Wing Bridges will be tested as a major offensive option in this game and he has improved his isolation abilities so a big night can be incoming. I expect a 18-24+ points, 4-7 rebounds, and 1-2 steals/blocks range.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 30-45

NOP vs PHX DREAM11 LINEUP BALANCERS

Larry Nance Jr(NOP) had 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, in the last game. Forward Larry has been an exciting presence and one of the reasons why the Pelicans made it through the Play-in tournament. Expect a 12-16 points and 6-10 rebounds range here.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 20-30
Herbert Jones(NOP) had 14 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal in the last game. Herbert had a strong 5/8 shooting but he is mainly a defensive threat. I expect a 7-12 points and 3-5 rebounds range here.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 11-22
Cameron Johnson (PHX)had 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals in the last game. Wing Johnson shot just 1/6 in the last game and his role will increase with the absence of Booker. I expect a 14-19 points and 4-7 rebounds range bhere,
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 18-25
Jae Crowder(PHX) had only 5 point, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks in the last game. Crowder is a premier defender who has struggled on the offensive end. He shot just 2/11 in the last game but I expect a 6-10 points and 4-7 rebounds range nonetheless.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 14-22
Trey Murphy(NOP) had 9 points, 1 rebound, 3 steals in the last game. Trey has been solid off the bench and clipped home three out of five attempts from three in the last game. I expect a 8-13 points range here
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 9-18
Cameron Payne(PHX) had 6 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound, 2 steals in the last game. Payne can see an uptick in his minutes and I expect a 7-11 points and 3-5 assists range.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 10-16
Jaxson Hayes(NOP) had 9 points, 3 rebound, 1 assist, 2 blocks in the last game. Athletic Jaxson has seen a reduction in his minutes but is still starting. I expect a 5-9 points and 3-5 rebounds range.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 6-16
JaVale McGee(PHX) had 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist 1 block in the last game. Veteran McGee has given some solid back-up minutes to Ayton. I expect a 5-9 points and 3-5 rebounds range.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 9-18
Jose Alvarado(NOP) had 8 points, 3 assists, 1 steal in the last game. Energetic Jose is the apple of the eye for the Pelicans’ fans and I expect a 6-9 points and 3-5 assists range here.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 9-17

NOP vs PHX Dream11 Team

(Recommended)
PG: C Payne, C Paul(PP)
SG: C McCollum
SF: B Ingram(SP)
PF: L Nance Jr, C Johnson, H Jones
C: J Hayes

(Alternate)
PG: C Payne, C Paul(SP)
SG: C McCollum(PP)
SF: M Bridges
PF: C Johnson L Nance Jr
C: D Ayton, J Hayes

Where to watch NBA Live Score?

As the series moves to the Pelicans’ home court, the stakes are high for the Booker-less Suns, don’t you wanna see the action? In not the most encouraging piece of news for the Indian NBA fans, this match can’t be seen on TV outlets MTV and Sports 18. On the other hand, streaming services JIO TV and Voot are not going to showcase this game to viewers in India. So what can you do? Well, you can get hold of the NBA League Pass. If you buy the annual subscription, you can get all live games and you can also access the full game replay if you can’t catch the live-action. To know the scores, stats, and news, go to the official website of the NBA.