San Antonio Spurs vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview
Where: Smoothie King Center — New Orleans, Louisiana
When: Friday, March 3, 2017, 9:30 PM ET
Line: San Antonio Spurs (-6.5) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (+6.5); total: 206.5 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
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Betting on the San Antonio Spurs (46-13)
There’s just no stopping San Antonio right now. The Spurs stretched their unbeaten run to five games with a thrilling 100-99 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. Three players scored in double-figures for the Spurs who moved to within 3.5 games of the league-leading Golden State Warriors. Leading the way for the Spurs in this game was Kawhi Leonard. He scored 31 points, including the game-winning jumper with 2.4 seconds left. It marked the Klaw’s 20th game with at least 30 points this season. In those games, San Antonio is 15-5.
The Spurs will look to keep the momentum going when they lock horns with the New Orleans Pelicans later tonight. Gregg Popovich’s men will fancy their chances of doing just that as they have fared extremely well on the road this season. The Spurs have won 26 of their 33 road games this campaign, including each of their last four.
Tony Parker is still a major doubt for Friday’s clash after suffering a quadriceps contusion in the second quarter of the Spurs’ win on Sunday over the Los Angeles Lakers. Slated to start for San Antonio in case Parker is sidelined is rookie phenom Dejounte Murray. As a starter for the Spurs this season, Murray is averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 assists and 2.7 rebounds. With the Spurs’ victory against the Pacers, he joined Tony Parker as the only rookie guards in franchise history to win their first seven starts.
San Antonio is 7-3 SU and 5-5 ATS in its last 10 road games.
Betting on the New Orleans Pelicans (24-37)
The New Orleans Pelicans finally snapped their three-game losing skid with a resounding 109-86 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night. Five players scored in double-figures for the Pelicans who improved to 9-1 in their last 10 meetings with the Pistons. Starring for New Orleans in this critical home win was Anthony Davis. He stepped up big time in the absence of the suspended DeMarcus Cousins, scoring 33 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Davis shot 11-of-17 from the field and a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line in that said contest. Davis has been a vital cog in New Orleans’ success this season, leading the team not only in scoring (28.2 PPG) but also in rebounds (11.8) and blocks (2.4) as well.
The Pelicans will look to make it back-to-back wins when they square off with the red-hot San Antonio Spurs later this evening. The Pelicans will fancy their chances of doing just that as they have fared extremely well against the Spurs at home of late. The Pelicans have won four of their last five meetings with the Spurs at Smoothie King Center, including a 119-103 thrashing earlier this season. The Pelicans have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 home games against the Spurs.
New Orleans is 5-5 SU and 4-6 ATS in its last 10 home games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Pelicans (+6.5) stun the Spurs, 108-102.
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