Jan. 9, 2026, 7:13 a.m. ET<\/p>\n
The New Orleans Pelicans<\/a> (8-31) and Washington Wizards<\/a> (10-26) meet Friday at 7 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s<\/a> NBA odds around the Pelicans vs. Wizards odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions<\/a> for the best bets.<\/p>\n 2024-25 season series: Pelicans won 2-0<\/p>\n The Pelicans lost to the Atlanta Hawks 117-100 Wednesday, failing to cover as a 10.5-point road underdog with the Under (246.5) hitting. F Zion Williamson scored a team-high 22 points in New Orleans’ ninth straight defeat. It has gone 1-8 against the spread (ATS) in that span, to drop to 20-18-1 ATS on the season.<\/p>\n The Wizards lost to the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a> 131-110 Wednesday, failing to cover as a 16.5-point road underdog as the Over (234.5) cashed. G Tre Johnson led the way with 20 points. In the last few days, the Wizards have traded star G CJ McCollum (averaging 18.8 points per game) to the Hawks for G Trae Young, who won’t be active for this one. Washington has gone 5-3 straight up and ATS across its last 8 games. It is 15-21 ATS on the season.<\/p>\n Watch the NBA on Fubo!<\/a>Pelicans at Wizards odds<\/p>\n Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook<\/a>; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub<\/a> for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:53 a.m. ET.<\/p>\n Moneyline (ML): Pelicans -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Wizards +115 (bet $100 to win $115)Against the spread (ATS): Pelicans -2.5 (-110) | Wizards +2.5 (-110)Over\/Under (O\/U): 241.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)Pelicans at Wizards key injuries<\/p>\n Pelicans<\/p>\n G Jose Alvardo (oblique) outF Saddiq Bey (hip flexor) outF Herbert Jones (ankle) doubtfulF Trey Murphy III (back) questionableG Dejounte Murray (Achilles) out<\/p>\n Wizards<\/p>\n F Corey Kispert (trade pending) outG CJ McCollum (trade pending) out<\/p>\n For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pelicans at Wizards picks and predictionsPrediction<\/p>\n Wizards 125, Pelicans 119<\/p>\n BET WIZARDS (+115).<\/p>\n The Pelicans have been absolutely awful over the last few weeks. They are coming off a 17-point loss to the Hawks and have a 19-point loss at Miami, an 8-point loss vs. the Los Angeles Lakers and a 13-point loss vs. the Portland Trail Blazerssince the new year. New Orleans has failed to cover in 5 straight games.<\/p>\n The Wizards, despite having traded McCollum, have looked much better as of late. Many of their young talented players, like C Alex Sarr, have stepped up. They have scored at least 114 points in 4 of their last 5 games and have gone 4-2 ATS in their last 6 home contests.<\/p>\n Considering those trends, take WIZARDS (+115).<\/p>\n PASS.<\/p>\n While the spread here is playable, the preferred route is on the moneyline.<\/p>\n BET OVER 241 (-115).<\/p>\n Neither team defends well at all. The Pelicans rank 27th in the NBA in defensive rating, while the Wizards sit 29th, only in front of the Utah Jazz.<\/p>\n The tempo is something to factor in as well, and the Pelicans rank ninth and the Wizards seventh in pace, suggesting it should be a fast game with ample scoring opportunities.<\/p>\n Back OVER 241 (-115).<\/p>\n For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com<\/a> and BetFTW<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter\/X<\/a> and like us on Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n Access more NBA coverage:<\/p>\n HoopsHype<\/a> | Celtics Wire<\/a> | Nets Wire<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Rockets Wire<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Sixers Wire<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Thunder Wire<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Warriors Wire<\/a>\u00a0| LeBron Wire<\/a> |\u00a0Rookie Wire<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0List Wire<\/a><\/p>\n Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. 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