New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns on Saturday, February 27 looks like a mismatch on paper. Our ratings give the Suns about a 76% chance, and the Pelicans would need an unusual night to change that.
Why the gap is wide
The Win Meter reads the Suns 76%, with a projected score of New Orleans Pelicans 111, Phoenix Suns 118. The rating gap is 102 points in favor of the Suns, and home court and rest add about 101 rating points for the Suns on top of that.
A reading this high has real meaning, but upsets of this size happen. Nearly one game in 4 like it goes the other way.
Recent form
The Pelicans are 0-3 this season and 0-5 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -8.4. The Suns are 1-1 this season and 1-4 in their last 5 games, with an average margin of -13.2.
The Pelicans were beaten 144-118 on the road by BOS not long ago.
The Suns were beaten 124-83 on the road by POR not long ago.
Injuries to watch
Out: Yves Missi (NOP), expected back Nov 2, 2026, Mark Williams (PHX), expected back Feb 3, 2027, and Drew Timme (PHX).
Day to day or questionable: Oso Ighodaro (PHX). Their status can change before tip-off.
The season series
In our records of recent meetings, the Suns lead 5-2, with the Suns outscoring the Pelicans by an average of 6.9 points per game. The last meeting was NOP 116, PHX 118.