Hawks @ Pelicans - Will Dejounte Murray play? Pick & Props

The Hawks visit New Orleans and are just 2-point road underdogs despite the Pelicans recently snapping a 10-game losing streak and winning their last two games in the past few days, one of which was a blowout win over the Kings without most of their stars. 

Injuries could play a big role in this one as Dejounte Murray is questionable with a migraine, the Pelicans will be without Zion Williamson, and Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valanciunas are both listed as probable after sitting out the second of a back-to-back on Sunday. 

First of all, it sounds like both Ingram and Valanciunas should be good to go tonight for the Pels. And if you’ve ever had a migraine, you know that playing basketball under bright lights is about the last thing you’d want to do when it peaks. If Murray is ruled out, we’re guessing this line will jump a couple points higher in the Pelicans favor, as he’s arguably the Hawks’ best player, they’re 14-16 on the road, and the Pelicans are getting two of their three stars back and are 19-9 at home. 

The Hawks are 5-5 over their last 10 games and are coming off a loss at Denver on Saturday. But they did get two tough road wins against the Jazz and Suns last week, while losing at Portland and at home to the Clippers. 

Murray had 28 points, 10 assists, four rebounds, a steal, two blocks and three 3-pointers in Saturday’s win at Denver and he’s averaging 25.5 points over his last four games. Trae Young, who sat out on Saturday due to an illness, has scored at least 20 points in seven straight games and will get a boost if Murray is out tonight. Young has had at least 10 assists in six of his last eight appearances. Clint Capela has double-doubled in five of his last seven games and was just a point short on both Wednesday and Friday from making it seven straight double-doubles. However, he’s also had zero or one block in six straight games, as the shot blocking just hasn’t been there for him lately. 

If Murray’s out, Bogdan Bogdanovic or A.J. Griffin would likely get the spot start tonight. Griffin started against the Nuggets and had 15 points in 26 minutes, while Bogdanovic came off the bench for eight points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals in 30 minutes of that loss. De’Andre Hunter has scored in double figures in every game he’s played in since December and is averaging 23 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.5 3-pointers over his last two. 

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The Pelicans snapped a 10-game losing streak with a win over the Lakers on Saturday and then blew out the Kings on Sunday night. Brandon Ingram scored a season-high 35 on Saturday and Trey Murphy scored a season-high 30 points against the Kings when the Pelicans rested Ingram and Valanciunas. Valanciunas hit 9-of-13 shots for 18 points, 14 rebounds and five assists against the Lakers, C.J. McCollum scored 23 with seven assists in that one, and Murphy came through with 21 points and four triples in the win. Jose Alvarado came off the bench for 18 points and two 3-pointers in 24 minutes against the Lakers but then hit just 1-of-5 shots for two points against the Kings, despite missing some of his key teammates. Naji Marshall had 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in the blowout win over Sacramento, Willy Hernangomez, filling in for Valanciunas, had 22 points and 16 rebounds in his best game of the year, and McCollum scored 24 in that one. With the Pelicans getting Ingram and JV back we don’t trust Larry Nance, Marshall, or Hernangomez tonight, but Murphy should stay relevant. 

We’re going to do two sets of picks for this game - one with Murray playing and one with him out. It’s been a struggle the last couple of games and tonight is likely to be a close contest, but Murray is a difference maker. Here’s to getting back to our winning ways!

Picks/Props if Dejounte Murray DOESN’T play

Pick: Pelicans -2  

Prop 1: Trae Young Over 38.5 points and assists

Prop 2: Clint Capela Over 23.5 points and rebounds

Prop 3: De’Andre Hunter Over 16.5 points

Picks/Props if Dejounte Murray DOES play

Pick: Hawks +2

Prop 1: Clint Capela Over 23.5 points and rebounds

Prop 2: C.J. McCollum Under 23.5 points

Prop 3: Trey Murphy Over 13.5 points