Valanciunas and the Pelicans host conference foe Phoenix

Phoenix Suns (64-18, first in the Western Conference) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (36-46, eighth in the Western Conference)

New Orleans; Thursday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

LINE: Pelicans -2.5; over/under is 214.5

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BOTTOM LINE: Jonas Valanciunas and the New Orleans Pelicans host Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns.

The Pelicans are 25-27 in conference play. New Orleans has a 23-30 record in games decided by at least 10 points.

The Suns are 39-13 in Western Conference play. Phoenix ranks eighth in the NBA with 45.3 rebounds per game. Deandre Ayton leads the Suns with 10.2.

TOP PERFORMERS: Valanciunas is averaging 17.8 points and 11.4 rebounds for the Pelicans. CJ McCollum is averaging 19.8 points over the last 10 games for New Orleans.

Booker is shooting 38.3% from beyond the arc with 2.7 made 3-pointers per game for the Suns, while averaging 26.8 points and 4.8 assists. Ayton is averaging 20.3 points and 10.7 rebounds over the past 10 games for Phoenix.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pelicans: 5-5, averaging 112.1 points, 45.6 rebounds, 22.9 assists, 8.1 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 45.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.4 points per game.

Suns: 5-5, averaging 109.9 points, 41.8 rebounds, 28.1 assists, 9.0 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.1 points.

INJURIES: Pelicans: Kira Lewis Jr.: out for season (knee), Zion Williamson: out (foot).

Suns: Dario Saric: out (knee), Devin Booker: out (hamstring).

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