The San Antonio Spurs (16-12) host the New Orleans Pelicans (14-18) for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off at AT&T Center Saturday. Below, we analyze the Pelicans-Spurs odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.
San Antonio returned from a 10-day layoff because of COVID-19 issues Wednesday to lose 102-99 as a 1-point road favorite against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Spurs are severely undermanned due to health and safety protocols, but prior to the hiatus, they were playing good ball.
The Pelicans lost a thrilling game 129-125 at the Milwaukee Bucks Thursday but covered as 8-point underdogs. New Orleans is 3-3 straight up and against the spread in its last six games, but All-Star PF Zion Williamson is dominating the competition.
New Orleans snapped a four-game losing skid to San Antonio with a 98-95 victory in December but failed to cover as a 5-point favorite.
Pelicans at Spurs: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:45 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Pelicans -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Spurs +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Against the spread/ATS: Pelicans -2.5 (-110) | Spurs +2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 234.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Pelicans at Spurs: Key injuries
Pelicans
Nothing affecting the betting lines.
Spurs
- SF DeMar DeRozan (personal) available
- PF LaMarcus Aldridge (wrist) questionable
- PF Rudy Gay (health and safety protocols) out
- PF Keldon Johnson (health and safety protocols) out
- SF Devin Vassell (health and safety protocols) out
- SG Derrick White (health and safety protocols) out
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Pelicans at Spurs: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Pelicans 118, Spurs 109
Money line (ML)
PASS with a slight lean to the Pelicans (-140) but unless I added New Orleans to a money line parlay I won’t be betting it outright.
For me, this money line is too expensive for the Pelicans straight up and I’d rather lay the points.
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Against the spread (ATS)
TAKE PELICANS -2.5 (-110) for 1.5 units. Williamson is an absolute monster right now and he had a rare dud in the first Pelicans-Spurs meeting this season.
Zion had his worst shooting performance of the season (7-for-22 from the field) and that’s because San Antonio is uniquely qualified to hold him in check.
The Spurs have two elite rim protectors in C Jakob Poeltl and Gay (who led San Antonio in scoring with 22 points in the first Pelicans-Spurs game), but Gay won’t be playing. In fact, the Spurs will be without three forwards and Aldridge may not play.
Zion is going to be a bull in a China shop tonight. TAKE PELICANS -2.5 (-110) for 1.5 units.
Over/Under (O/U)
I lean UNDER 234.5 (-110) for a half-unit because I prefer the side over the total in this game especially because I see New Orleans’ offense lighting up San Antonio.
The Under remains the play here because the Spurs figure to rely heavily on the returning DeRozan who’s a half-court basketball player who likes to operate in the mid-range.
Also, I like how San Antonio’s backcourt matches up with New Orleans defensively. Depending on how that plays out we could see the Pelicans in an offensive lull for stretches and be forced to use Williamson as a point forward.
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Also see:
- Lonzo Ball says he should have shot the ball on final possession vs. Bucks (Lonzo Wire)
- Bet Slippin’ Podcast: PGA Tour double-dip and what’s up with James Harden’s MVP odds?
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