Stephen Nover's NBA Sunday Totals Crusher - 63% NBA Totals Run
(NBA) New Orleans vs. Phoenix, 04/07/2024 6:00 PM, Score: 113 - 105
Total: 222.00 | -106.00 Under
Result: Win
Yes, these teams have firepower. But both teams have been playing excellent defense lately. Their defenses are underrated. The Pelicans are fourth in defensive field goal percentage, while the Suns rank seventh in the category. 

New Orleans is averaging only 105.4 points in its last five games. The Pelicans are really missing Brandon Ingram, their second-leading scorer at 20.9 points a game. He remains out with a knee injury. 

The Suns have scored 106 points or below in five of their past seven games. But if you discount the 128 points they surrendered to the Thunder, the Suns are giving up an average of just 101 points in their last six games. 

The teams just met six days ago with Phoenix winning, 124-111. I'm expecting far fewer points in this quick rematch. The Pelicans are in stop-the-pain mode having lost four in a row with the last one being an embarrassing, 111-109, home loss to the Spurs two days ago. An intense defensive effort should be forthcoming from them.