Who: New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs
When: Sunday, Aug. 9, 3:00 p.m ET
How to watch: Fox Sports New Orleans, ABC
Odds: Pelicans -3, o/u 238.5
As much as has been made about the Pelicans and blowing their opportunity at the playoffs, the other teams battling them for a spot continue to hand New Orleans chance after chance to get back into the race.
But what can’t be changed is the number of games remaining and New Orleans faces an absolute do-or-die situation on Sunday. A combination of just three games remaining and the Spurs, a team just ahead of them in the standings, being the opponent means that a loss would leave a mountain too tall to mathematically climb
The Spurs’ lone meeting with New Orleans was a memorable one as it came on Zion Williamson’s debut. On that night, Williamson exploded for 17 straight points for the Pelicans in the fourth quarter, yet the Spurs answered every basket and came away with a 121-117 win.
LaMarcus Aldridge was the leading scorer in that game for the Spurs but is no longer with the team after opting for season-ending surgery before play in the bubble started. However, that hasn’t stopped San Antonio from posting a 3-2 mark in the bubble to remain in contention for the ninth seed.
The Pelicans sit one game back of the Blazers for the ninth seed while the Spurs are a half-game back.
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