It all boils down to this. It’s been four years since New Orleans last made the postseason of the National Basketball Association. The Pelicans have a grand opportunity to end that long absence with a victory in their final regular-season game on Wednesday. It won’t be easy, though, as standing in their way in that all-important contest are the defending champions, San Antonio Spurs.
Who will emerge victorious in this pivotal Western Conference showdown? Read on below for a breakdown of tonight’s game and while you’re at it, you can check out our previews of Toronto vs. Boston and Washington vs. Indiana.
[sc:NBAArticles ]San Antonio Spurs vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Preview
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
When: Wednesday, April 15, 8:00 PM ET
Line: San Antonio Spurs vs. New Orleans Pelicans – view all NBA lines
Betting on the San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs extended their winning streak to 11 games with a resounding 107-91 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday night. Six players scored in double-figures for the Spurs who moved into second place in the Western Conference with an impressive 55-26 record.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Leading the way for the Spurs in this game was Tim Duncan. The two-time MVP racked up his 32nd double-double of the season, putting up 22 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Even in this late stage of his career, Duncan remains an integral part of the Spurs organization, leading the team in rebounds (9.1 RPG) and blocks (2.0 BPG). For good measure, he’s also averaging 13.9 points per contest.
Duncan looks to be peaking at exactly the right time, recording 51 points, 20 rebounds and five blocked shots in his last two games. It has been an incredible stretch for San Antonio, which at one point appeared to be in danger of missing the playoffs this season. The Spurs picked up their game, however, winning 21 of their last 24 outings.
Key to the Spurs’ late-season resurgence has been the excellent form of Kawhi Leonard. The reigning NBA Finals MVP has been a superb two-way player for the Spurs this season, leading the team in scoring (16.6 PPG) and steals (2.3 SPG). He had 18 points and nine rebounds in the game against the Suns.
The Spurs can make some history as well with a victory over New Orleans this coming Wednesday. Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan can tie the record held by Boston’s Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish for the most wins (540) shared by a trio in the NBA with a win against the Pelicans.
It won’t be that easy, though, as New Orleans is 2-1 against San Antonio in its three meetings thus far this season. The Spurs are 8-2 SU and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 road games.
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Betting on the New Orleans Pelicans
Just one more victory!
The New Orleans Pelicans moved one step closer to securing their first playoff appearance since 2011 after beating the Minnesota Timberwolves, 100-88, on Monday night. With the win, the Pelicans’ magic number for clinching a playoff spot in the Western Conference has now been reduced to just one.
That means that an Oklahoma City defeat or a New Orleans win on Wednesday will be enough for the Pelicans to grab a seat in this year’s postseason. If they manage to pull off the feat, they will have to thank big man Anthony Davis who has been simply exceptional for the Pelicans this season.
Playing in just his third year for the club, Davis leads the team not only in points (24.3 PPG) but also in rebounds (10.2 RPG) and blocks (2.9 BPG) as well. He was unstoppable in the game against the Wolves, putting up 24 points, 11 rebounds and a whopping six blocked shots.
Putting up those numbers against the Wolves is one thing, though. Repeating it against the defending champion San Antonio Spurs is another. The Spurs are one of the best defensive teams in the league today, allowing just 96.9 points per contest, third-fewest in the NBA this season.
With that being said, Davis will still fancy his chances of wreaking havoc against the reigning champs. He has fared extremely well against the Spurs this season, averaging 23.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 4.0 blocks in three games against them.
The Pelicans are 7-3 SU and 5-5 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
San Antonio eliminates New Orleans with a 109-103 win.
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