Tip-off: Monday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: New Orleans -3, Total: 201

The Wizards look to avoid a four-game losing skid on Monday night when they visit the Pelicans.

Washington traveled to San Antonio on Saturday and fell 101-92 as a 5-point road underdog, marking its third straight defeat (1-2 ATS). Meanwhile, New Orleans beat the Rockets 111-83 as a 2-point home underdog on Friday, giving the club five straight ATS victories (3-2 SU). Earlier in the season on Nov. 29, these teams met in the nation's capital with the Wizards prevailing 83-80 as 4-point home favorites, giving them six straight SU wins (4-2 ATS) in this series. This includes a 2-0 mark (SU and ATS) when visiting the Pelicans. Both teams have favorable betting trends for Monday, as Washington is 10-0 ATS in the past three seasons in road games after scoring 55+ points in the first half of two straight games. However, New Orleans is 27-12 ATS in home games revenging a close loss versus an opponent of three points or less since 1996. SG Eric Gordon (shoulder) is expected to play for the Pelicans in this game, but the Wizards could be without C Drew Gooden, who is questionable with a knee injury.

Can the Wizards snap their losing skid on Monday night? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2014-15 season. StatFox Forecaster has a strong 56% ATS record (88-69-1) in featured games this season. In terms of Best Bets, StatFox Scott is a sizzling 80% ATS (8-2) in Best Bets since Dec. 21, improving his record to 54% ATS (27-23) for the season. StatFox Brian is 61% ATS (17-11) in Best Bets since Nov. 29, and is now 54% ATS (27-23) in season Best Bets, while StatFox Gary is 56% ATS (15-12) in NBA Best Bets since Nov. 29, and is now 54% ATS (27-23) this season.

The Wizards will wrap up a brutal five-game road trip on Monday, and they’re looking to head back to Washington on a positive note. PG John Wall (17.2 PPG, 10.3 APG, 4.5 RPG) had 15 points and eight assists in a loss to the Spurs on Saturday. Wall struggled in the last meeting with New Orleans though, finishing with just 11 points and seven assists in 34 minutes. Washington will need the superstar to be a lot better this go around. SG Bradley Beal (15.7 PPG, 1.5 SPG) had a slow start to the season after getting injured during the preseason, but has really come on strong lately. Beal is averaging 19.8 PPG over the past four games and will need to continue scoring for this Wizards team. Beal will be up against Eric Gordon in this one, who should be rusty after having not played in a while. C Marcin Gortat (12.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 1.4 BPG) will need to be at his best for Washington on Monday, but Gortat has scored less than 10 points in three of the past five games, and will need to be much more consistent going forward. He’ll also have to defend the rim in this game, or Anthony Davis will make it nearly impossible for Washington to win with his ability to finish around the basket.

The Pelicans have won three of their past five games and they’ll now get SG Eric Gordon (9.5 PPG) back from a shoulder injury. Gordon had struggled when he was healthy, but he’s a capable scorer and could add another element to this offense if he doesn’t get wild with his shot selection. PG Jrue Holiday (15.3 PPG, 7.2 APG) didn’t need to do much in a win over the Rockets last game, finishing with just seven points, seven rebounds and six assists in 26 minutes of action. This game will be a whole different story, however, as he’ll be up against the explosive John Wall. Holiday more than held his own in their last meeting on Nov. 29 though, finishing with 17 points and seven assists in 34 minutes of action. SF Tyreke Evans (16.8 PPG, 5.4 APG, 5.3 RPG) will likely be defended by the much slower Paul Pierce (12.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG) on Monday. Evans has been on a tear recently, averaging 19.4 PPG over the past five contests, with three games of 21+ points over the past four. Evans will need to use his speed to get to the rim against Pierce, but he’ll also need to be disciplined defensively. C Anthony Davis (23.8 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.9 BPG) should be in for a monster game for this matchup, as the Wizards lack big men with the speed required to stay in front of him. In the Nov. 29 meeting, Davis lit up Washington with 30 points and 13 rebounds. Although Davis had only seven points and eight rebounds in 31 minutes against the Rockets on Friday, he averaged 22.8 PPG and 13.3 RPG in the four games prior.