Aiming to get back on the right track, the New Orleans Pelicans will welcome the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night. The Pelicans have come out on top in both of these teams’ previous clashes this season. Both times, they’ve downed San Antonio by at least 18 points.
On Dec. 2, New Orleans beat the Spurs, 117-99, on the road. San Antonio was without head coach Gregg Popovich, who’d recently had a minor medical procedure. That defeat pushed the Spurs losing streak to 10 games, their longest since 1987.
The Pelicans’ Zion Williamson poured in 30 points, with a career-high 15 boards in that victory. Guard Devin Vassell paced San Antonio with 25 points, including five threes.
These teams will match up again this season following this one on March 21. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET at the Smoothie King Center.
Let’s take a closer look at this clash before deciding on our Spurs vs Pelicans betting approach — which will include NBA picks and parlays — by checking out some NBA team stats and how both the Spurs and Pelicans have done in recent NBA matchups.
Last Game Records
New Orleans (18-12) has dropped four games in a row, their longest skid so far this go-round. Losses at Utah and Phoenix and against Milwaukee followed the Pelicans’ season-high seven-game win streak.
They bowed to the Bucks on Monday by a 128-119 final, watching Giannis Antetokounmpo drain 42 points.
Former New Orleans guard Jrue Holiday added another 18, while Zion didn’t have his best night. He was limited to nine points through the first three frames.
Jonas Valanciunas put up 37 points and grabbed 18 rebounds.
San Antonio (10-20) has won four of six, including a meeting with in-state foe Houston Monday. Vassell pinned up 26 points in a matchup between the two worst teams, record-wise, in the Western Conference. The Spurs won, 124-105, on the road.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs Betting Analysis
New Orleans Pelicans
NBA player stats have Zion’s 25.2 points-per-game average leading the Pelicans, while forward Brandon Ingram adds another 20.8.
Four others :
guard CJ McCollum
- Trey Murphy III
- Herbert Jones
- Valanciunas
Are good for double figures each time out. Valanciunas averages 9.3 boards, and McCollum 5.8 assists.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs standings aren’t that great at this point in the NBA schedule, but it’s not for lack of effort. Forward Kelvin Johnson pours in 21.1 points per game, while Vassell chips in with 20.0.
Guards Tre Jones and Josh Richardson, center Jakob Poeltl, and forward Doug McDermott all average double digits, too.
Poeltl rips 9.5 rebounds per game, and Jones dishes out 6.7 assists.
NBA Injury Report
As we continue through our Spurs vs Pelicans betting analysis, we’ll want to check out who’s sure to be on the floor.
New Orleans will be forced to deal with essential absences in Zion and Ingram. Williamson is in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, while Ingram’s toe injury will keep him on the shelf for at least two more outings.
Forward Larry Nance Jr. is questionable to suit up with an Achilles issue.
For the Spurs, Johnson is doubtful to play with a hamstring injury, while Poeltl (right knee soreness) and guard Romeo Langford (right knee hypertension) are probable.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs Betting Preview
New Orleans is the favorite in this one, as they’re marked down as -8.5 at -106, while the Spurs are -114 to cover.
On the money line, the Pelicans are -360, and San Antonio is a +190 underdog. The total is listed at 228 points, with the over -110 and the under the same.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs Betting Prediction
Having seen the NBA odds today, we can make our Spurs vs Pelicans betting prediction more accurately.
With Zion and Ingram out, New Orleans Pelicans predictions are a little more complicated. Take San Antonio to cover.
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