Dejounte Murray Set for Pelicans Return: Betting Impact and Analysis for Warriors Matchup

By Oddixa —

After missing significant time with a hand injury, star guard Dejounte Murray is expected to return to the New Orleans Pelicans lineup this Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors.

The Wait is Over: Dejounte Murray Returns to the Big Easy

The New Orleans Pelicans are finally getting their floor general back. After a frustrating stint on the sidelines, star guard Dejounte Murray is expected to make his highly anticipated return to the hardwood this Tuesday night as the Pelicans host the Golden State Warriors.

Murray, who was the centerpiece of the Pelicans' offseason restructuring, has been out of action since the season opener. His absence has forced head coach Willie Green to shuffle rotations and rely heavily on Brandon Ingram’s isolation scoring. With Murray back in the fold, the Pelicans’ offensive hierarchy receives a much-needed recalibration just as the Western Conference playoff race begins to tighten.

The Impact on the New Orleans Backcourt

From a tactical perspective, Murray’s return solves the Pelicans' primary issue: playmaking. Before his injury, the vision was for Murray to take the primary ball-handling duties, allowing players like CJ McCollum to operate more as off-ball threats and shooters.

For bettors, this means a likely shift in Player Prop markets. While Murray’s scoring may take a few games to stabilize as he finds his rhythm, his assist totals are worth watching immediately. He is a high-usage facilitator who excels in the pick-and-roll, especially when paired with Zion Williamson (when healthy). If you are looking at the "Over" on team total points, Murray’s presence significantly raises the Pelicans' floor by reducing unforced turnovers and improving transition efficiency.

Betting Context: How Murray Moves the Line

When a player of Murray’s caliber returns, oddsmakers usually react by shaving a point or two off the spread. Against a high-octane Golden State Warriors team, Murray’s defensive prowess is just as valuable as his scoring. He is an elite point-of-attack defender who can disrupt Steph Curry’s rhythm, which could be the difference-maker in a tight game.

Points Spread and Moneyline Considerations

Historically, the Pelicans have struggled to cover the spread without a true point guard to settle the offense in the fourth quarter. With Murray back, New Orleans becomes a much more attractive play as a home underdog or a short favorite.

What to Expect in Murray’s First Game Back

It is important to manage expectations regarding minutes. While the medical staff has cleared him, coach Willie Green may choose to put Murray on a "soft" minutes restriction to ensure there are no setbacks.

Bettor’s Tip: Look for Murray’s "Rebounds + Assists" (RA) market. Even if his shooting stroke is rusty, his length allows him to crash the boards and his vision ensures he will find open teammates. These stats are often more reliable than raw scoring for a player returning from a long layoff.

Looking Ahead: The Pelicans’ Playoff Hopes

The Pelicans traded significant assets to acquire Murray because they believed he was the missing piece to a deep postseason run. To this point, the New Orleans faithful have only seen a glimpse of what this roster can do at full strength.

If Murray can stay healthy and integrate seamlessly with the rest of the core, the Pelicans’ Futures Odds to win the Southwest Division or make the Western Conference Finals could see a significant boost. For value seekers, now might be the last time to grab New Orleans at their current price before the market adjusts to a fully healthy roster.

Tuesday night isn't just another game on the NBA calendar; it’s a litmus test for a New Orleans team that is desperate to prove they belong among the elite. For sports bettors, it's the perfect opportunity to see if Dejounte Murray is the catalyst this team has been waiting for.