New Orleans Pelicans vs. Washington Wizards Predictions, Picks and NBA Preview – February 23, 2016

Whoa, slow down Anthony Davis. The Pelicans big man makes a quick return just two days after his record-setting Sunday night. New Orleans continues on the road, this time at Washington. The Wizards are gunning for a season-high fourth consecutive home victory Tuesday night. It’s going to be one hell of a matchup Tuesday night. Read on for everything you need to know heading into this contest.

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New Orleans Pelicans vs. Washington Wizards Preview

Where: Verizon Center, Washington

When: Tuesday, February 23, 7:00 PM ET

Line: New Orleans Pelicans (+4.5) at Washington Wizards (-4.5); total 213.0 – view all NBA lines

Betting on the New Orleans Pelicans (22-33)

Anthony Davis scored a franchise-record 59 points and pulled down 20 rebounds in New Orleans’ 111-106 victory at Detroit on Sunday. It was their fourth win in five games. But Davis will need to hold off on the celebrations because the Pelicans still need to chase a playoff spot. The Pelicans are 11th in the Western Conference. They sit 5.5 games out of the West’s final postseason spot.

The Pelicans have been hot after the All-Star Break. They shot 49.1 percent, winning their first two games since returning to action. They’ll need to keep hot if they are to break a three-game losing streak at Washington. Davis has been solid on the road. He’s averaging 26.4 points and 10.5 rebounds in 23 road games this season.

New Orleans’ big man was also pretty good in the first game against Washington this season. Davis scored 18 points and hauled in 11 rebounds in a 107-105 home win on December 11. But he had plenty of help from Tyreke Evans, who finished with 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Evans has since undergone season-ending knee surgery.

With Evans gone, may look for more from Jrue Holiday. He’s provided quite a spark from the bench, averaging 23 points, nine assists and 5.2 rebounds over his last five games. He had 19 points, six assists and three steals in December’s win against the Pelicans.

The Pelicans are 5-1 ATS in their last six at Washington.

Betting on the Washington Wizards (25-29)

Washington has been pretty hot at home on a three-game win streak. They’ve shot 49.2 percent while holding their last three opponents to an average of 89.7 points on 41.9 percent shooting. The Wizards are coming off a gruelling back-to-back-to-back, playing three games in three nights. They won two of those games, losing their most recent one 114-94 on the road against the Heat.

John Wall has been Washington’s main man this season. He leads the team with 19.9 points and 9.8 assists per game. Wall put up spectacular numbers against the Pelicans in a December loss. He had 26 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds at New Orleans. He’s averaging 19 points and 9.7 assists in the Wizards’ three-game home win streak.

Wall can’t do it all. So he has running mate Bradley Beal chucking up big numbers on offense. Beal has been solid, averaging 19.4 points per game in his last five games. He missed the first game against New Orleans this season. Having him back should give the Wizards a spark on offense.

The total has gone under in six of the Wizards’ last eight home games.

Writer’s Prediction

The Pelicans (+4.5) finally end their losing streak at Washington. Holiday and Davis combine to form a formidable duo to lift New Orleans to victory.

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