This is a 10* NON-CONF GOM on the Pelicans.

I like picking and choosing great "spots" and "situations" throughout the regular season to take advantage of. This is a great "spot" to wager on the hungry home side in my opinion on Friday night.

Indiana just broke a three-game slide with a hugely-satisfying 135-132 OT win at home over the defending champs as 6.5-point dogs on Wednesday night, and with a couple of days off after this followed by a much more high-profile game at Dallas, not only does this set up as a letdown spot, but also a look-ahead postion. And when you add those two factors together, you get "trap game."

New Orleans, as mentioned, is off three straight SU losses and four straight ATS losses. Dating to last year though the Pels are 7-3 ATS in their last ten after three or more SU losses in a row.

Enough is enough for New Orleans, which has a favorable four-game home stretch here, with ATL, Portland and Cleveland all coming to town after this.

Lay the points with confidence, the play is NEW ORLEANS.

Good luck, NP