NBA Prop Bets: Washington Wizards vs New Orleans Pelicans (January 9, 2026)
The New Orleans Pelicans (8-31) face the Washington Wizards (10-26) at Capital One Arena. Let's take a look at the NBA Prop Bets for Friday's matchup. The Pelicans opened as 2.5-point favorites but the spread has since moved to 3.5, leaving the Pelicans at -148 and Wizards at +124. The total points line is set at 242.5, with OVER at -112 and UNDER at -108, meaning the implied expected score for the game is 123-120 New Orleans.
- The Pelicans (-105) have a 19-18-2 ATS record this season, while the Wizards (-115) hold a record of 15-21-0.
- The Pelicans have a 21-18-0 O/U record this season (meaning 21 games have gone over the total points line and 18 have gone under). The Wizards have a 19-17-0 O/U record.
Scoring Insights
- The Pelicans are averaging 114.5 points per game this season (22nd in the league). Comparatively, the Wizards are averaging 113.5 (24th).
- Defensively, the Pelicans are giving up a whopping 122.7 points per game this season (28th in the league), while the Wizards are giving up an average of 124.2 points (29th).
Game Style
What do the stats tell us about the style of basketball these teams are playing this season?
Pace
- The Pelicans currently rank 11th for pace this season, recording 100.7 possessions per game. Alternatively, the Wizards sit 9th on that scale with 101.1 possessions per contest.
Field Goal Split
- Looking at field goal splits, 34.8% of the Pelicans' field goal attempts come from three point range (26th in the league), leaving 65.2% from two. Meanwhile, the Wizards' opponents are taking 41.5% of their attempts from three (26th) and 58.5% from two.
- Comparatively, Washington takes 39.8% of shots from three (20th), leaving 60.2% from two, while New Orleans' opponents are attempting 45.7% from three (30th) and 54.3% from two.
Beyond the Arc
- In terms of made three-pointers, the Pelicans are shooting 33.7% from deep in 2025/26 (30th in the NBA), compared to the Wizards who are making 36.2% of their attempts (13th).
- On the opposite end, New Orleans is holding opponents to 35.9% of their three-point attempts (17th), while Washington's opponents are hitting 36.5% of their shots (20th).
Ball Protection
- The Pelicans are committing 14.7 turnovers per game this season, ranking 15th in the league, while the Wizards are forcing 12.6 turnovers (28th).
- Flipping that script, New Orleans is forcing 15.2 turnovers (11th), while Washington is committing 15.7 (23rd).
Crashing the Boards
- New Orleans is pulling down 43.3 rebounds per game this season (22nd in the league), including 12.5 offensive boards (7th). Conversely, Washington's opponents are averaging 47.9 rebounds (30th), 13.8 of which have come on the offensive end (30th).
- Meanwhile, the Wizards are averaging 44.2 rebounds (17th) and 11.4 offensive rebounds (16th), while the Pelicans are allowing 45.8 and 12.4, ranking 24th and 27th.
First Quarter Winner
Here are their first quarter records in 2025/26.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | 16-23-0 | 11-12-0 | 5-11-0 | 2-0-0 | 14-23-0 | 4-6-0 |
| Washington | 13-22-1 | 8-9-1 | 5-13-0 | 1-1-1 | 12-21-0 | 6-4-0 |
First Half Winner
Here are their first half records in 2025/26.
| Total | Home | Road | Favorite | Underdog | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | 14-24-1 | 10-12-1 | 4-12-0 | 2-0-0 | 12-24-1 | 2-8-0 |
| Washington | 12-24-0 | 7-11-0 | 5-13-0 | 2-1-0 | 10-23-0 | 6-4-0 |
HT/FT
New Orleans is +105 to complete the HT/FT double. Conversely, Washington is +180.
- The Pelicans have completed the HT/FT double in 15.4% of games this season, while the Wizards have completed the HT/FT double in 22.2% of games.
To Go To Overtime
Friday's matchup is +1100 to go to overtime.
- The Pelicans have played in four games that went to overtime this season, while the Wizards have appeared in two.
Both Teams 110+
- Both teams have scored 110+ points in 21 of New Orleans' 39 games this season. Meanwhile, 20 of Washington's 36 games have seen both squads reach that number.
Last Time They Met
New Orleans recorded a 110-98 victory over Washington at Capital One Arena when these teams last met on January 5, 2025. The Pelicans have now won four straight against the Wizards. Dejounte Murray was everywhere on that day, finishing with a 14-point, 10-rebound, 12-assist triple-double.
