The Phoenix Suns are expected to be without All-Star guard Devin Booker for Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round series at the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, and that injury could swing this whole series.

Nitrobetting is more than ready for the postseason. Find a full preview of the Suns vs. Pelicans. We present you with game details, team and player stats, the latest NBA betting odds, trends, and predictions–all of which help you lock in on the best picks.

Suns vs. Pelicans Game 3 Information

• When: Friday, April 22, 2022, 9:30 PM ET
• Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
• TV: TNT
• Radio: KTAR Phoenix Metro 98.7 FM (Suns) / KLRZ 100.3 FM (Pelicans)
• Live Stream: NBA League Pass
• NBA Betting Odds: Suns (-2) / Pelicans (+2)

READ MORE: Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies Game 3 NBA Playoffs Odds and Preview – April 21st, 2022

Why Bet on the Phoenix Suns?

After the Western Conference top-seeded Suns took Game 1 by 11 points, it looked like they might sweep the New Orleans Pelicans. When the Suns led Game 2 by five at halftime, a 2-0 series lead looked like a lock. However, All-Star guard Devin Booker, who had 31 points in the first half, appeared to tweak his right hamstring as he was jumping to challenge a Jaxson Hayes dunk in transition with about five minutes left in the third quarter. He immediately asked for a timeout and went to the locker room.

Booker wouldn’t return and he’s going to not only miss Game 3 but also likely Game 4 at a minimum, diagnosed with a mild right hamstring strain. After Booker went down, the Pelicans put together a huge finish en route to a 125-114 win to even their first-round series at 1-1. While the Suns offense was hot in the first half, their defense couldn’t slow down the Pelicans’ offense, especially in transition.

Booker has battled hamstring issues for the past two seasons. In November, he strained his left hamstring on a play similar to Tuesday’s and missed seven games. Last year during the NBA Finals, he suffered a hamstring injury in Game 3 but played through the issue and kept it a secret at the time. The Suns were 8-6 in games without Booker this season. The minutes and shot attempts left by Booker will likely be filled by a committee consisting of Cam Johnson, Cam Payne, Landry Shamet and Aaron Holiday.

Shamet was the one to take Booker’s place when Booker missed 11 games earlier this year due to injury. But after Shamet was not even in the rotation for Game 1, it would be surprising for him to be pushed into that spot. During Phoenix’s 2021 Finals run, they were the beneficiary of untimely injuries to Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, and Jamal Murray. Now they are on the wrong side.

Chris Paul hit just 5-of-16 shots 17 points in Game 2 but did have 14 assist and zero turnovers. Paul is going to have to score more with Booker out. Ironically, hamstring injuries are a sensitive area for Paul. In 2018, a pulled hamstring kept him out of the final two games of the Western Conference finals against Golden State that the Rockets led 3-2. Houston would go on to lose the series in seven.

Why Bet on the New Orleans Pelicans?

The young Pelicans have to be brimming with confidence with the Game 2 win and Booker’s injury. Brandon Ingram was the best player on the floor in Game 2 with 37 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, a steal and a block in 39 minutes. Ingram was 13-of-21 shooting while hitting all three of his 3s and all eight of his free throws. He missed his first career triple-double by one assist.

With the Pelicans trailing 61-56 at halftime, Ingram set the tone out of the locker room, scoring 14 points and handing out five assists. He continued to roll in the fourth quarter, so much so that Coach Willie Green said in postgame that he stopped calling plays and allowed Ingram to run the whole show.

It was just Ingram’s second playoff game after he missed the playoffs in his first five seasons — three with the Lakers and two with New Orleans.

“Six years,” Ingram joked about how long he’s waited for this moment. “No, throughout this year I had confidence we would be here. I didn’t know what it would look like, but we continued to get better every single day, with Willie +being positive every single day and helping guys and teaching guys every single day.”

Suns vs. Pelicans Betting Trends

• Suns are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
• Suns are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite.
• The total went under in 6 of Phoenix’s last 7 games.
• Pelicans are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 Friday games.
• Pelicans are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as a home underdog.
• The total went under in 12 of New Orleans’ last 17 games.

Suns vs. Pelicans Expert Betting Prediction

Pelicans ATS.

This is just one of the many sports betting guides that you can read here at Nitrobetting news. Stay tuned for more NBA game previews and articles and don’t forget to check out the latest Basketball betting odds on the sportsbook.

The 2022 NBA postseason is finally here. Maximize your chances of earning more Bitcoin by joining Nitrobetting NBA Playoffs Brackets, Squares, Picks contests! Enter free contests or use valid Betslips to gain free entry to Betslip contests. Also available are buy-in contests with big Bitcoin prizes for the winners! Click here to view and join Nitrobetting contests!

*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.