NBA Predictions: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Golden State Warriors

New Orleans Hornets vs. Golden State Warriors
Tuesday, 12/17/13, 10:30 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Golden State -7.5
Current Betting Line: Golden State -8
Opening Total: 207.5
Current Total: 207.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Golden State Warriors PG Stephen Curry is playing tremendous basketball on the offensive end right now

New Orleans had its two-game winning streak snapped Sunday, as it dropped a 102-93 decision to the Denver Nuggets as 7.5-point road underdogs, while going UNDER the betting total for the first time in three contests. The Pelicans have split six games since forward Anthony Davis broke his hand Dec. 1, which is important to consider when making your NBA predictions Tuesday night. The franchise is 4-6 SU on the road this season, including a 1-5 mark versus Western Conference opponents. New Orleans is 3-3 SUATS as an underdog, with no clear edge in terms of the total (3-3 Over/Under).

The Pelicans are being led offensively by the play of forward Ryan Anderson, who is averaging 21.8 points per game, which has been made possible by leading the NBA in knocking down 3.5 three-point shots a contest. New Orleans has dropped five in a row in this series, while head coach Monty Williams has compiled a 3-5 SU all-time record against Golden State. It’s important to point out that the roster entered the year as the least experienced group in the league.

Golden State has dropped its last two games due to the defense allowing an average of 111 points over that span, which includes a setback on the road to the Phoenix Suns last time out. “Right now the turnovers are hurting us and we are not playing 48 minutes with a sense of urgency,” stated Warriors head coach Mark Jackson. The team is averaging 17.2 turnovers per game, which can’t be ignored when looking over the pro basketball odds page. Golden State is 11-1 SU and 8-4 ATS as home favorites of 6.5 to 9 points the last two-plus seasons, with the OVER going 6-5-1 in those 12 opportunities.

The Warriors have won seven of their 10 games at Oracle Arena, including a 5-3 mark versus conference foes. Golden State possesses one of the best offensive teams in the league, with point guard Stephen Curry leading the way—averaging 24.1 points and 8.9 assists per game. He has scored at least 20 points in 10 consecutive games, which is a career long streak and the longest active one in the NBA.