New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs Betting Preview
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
When: Sunday, December 18, 2016, 7:00 PM ET
Line: New Orleans Pelicans at San Antonio Spurs – view all NBA lines
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Betting on the New Orleans Pelicans (TBA)
Failing to gain any sort of momentum still are the New Orleans Pelicans, who lost 122-100 to the Houston Rockets on Friday for their seventh loss over the last 10 games.
The Pelicans had another dismal defensive outing, and Friday’s performance may be their worst of the season yet. They allowed the Rockets to set a new NBA record for made three-pointers in a single game (24) and easily gave James Harden his sixth triple-double of the season as well. They’re currently 24th in the league at about 107 points allowed per contest, and their D will definitely be tested once more when they visit the daunting Spurs on Sunday.
On the other hand, the Pelicans have an borderline MVP candidate in Anthony Davis, who is averaging a sweet double-double of 30 points and 11 rebounds along with nearly three blocks per contest this season. The uni-browed monster alone, however, simply isn’t enough to carry the entire team on his shoulders, and he’s also coming off a poor night against the Rockets with just 19 points and five boards in 23 minutes of action.
To make matters worse, Davis’ limited playing time on Friday was as a result of a bruised leg that he suffered from that game and he’s listed as questionable for this Sunday’s trip to San Antonio. Throw in the fact that the Pelicans have lost five of their last six road games (SU/ATS) and are 0-5 this year against their division rivals, and it appears as though the boys from the Big Easy will hand over a big, easy win to the Spurs.
Betting on the San Antonio Spurs (TBA)
Still humming along nicely are the San Antonio Spurs, who won their third-straight contest on Thursday by making quick work of the Phoenix Suns, 107-92. The Spurs are 6-1 this December, and the home game against struggling New Orleans ahead definitely looks like an early Christmas present for their fans in search of a foregone celebration this weekend.
San Antonio’s stunning offensive balance was on display against the Suns, as Kahwi Leonard had a sound double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, and with Pau Gasol one rebound shy of equaling Leonard’s output with 18 points and nine boards of his own.
But the real story behind Thursday’s victory was San Antonio’s defense, as it held Phoenix to just 40 percent field-goal shooting. The team is currently fourth in the NBA at just 97.7 points allowed per game, which is 10 fewer points being given up compared to the Pelicans this season. The Spurs are also one of just one of four teams in the league to have held opponents to double-digit scoring on average thus far.
On top of that, San Antonio has won four straight against New Orleans, including a 98-79 drubbing at home from October 29. Then again, the Spurs are only 2-2 against the spread during that span, with three of those contests going under the point total and the other resulting to a push. That being said, you may want to check up on Davis’ availability for Sunday’s clash first before going all-in on Gregg Popovich’s squad.
Writer’s Prediction
The Spurs slay the Pelicans yet again, 107-91, and that’s even with Davis slightly in the mix for New Orleans.
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