The New Orleans Pelicans (39-28) look to lengthen their seven-game road winning streak in a matchup against the San Antonio Spurs (38-30) at AT&T Center. The game will air on Fox Sports – New Orleans at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 15, 2018.
San Antonio is a 4-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 219.5 points.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs Free Prediction
The last time the Pelicans played, they topped the Charlotte Hornets, 119-115. The Pelicans, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 19.7, had a solid mark of 27.5 and had a turnover percentage of 10.0 (better than their season average of 13.1). New Orleans received a boost from Anthony Davis, who was the top scorer from either team with 31 points on 13-for-26 shooting.
The Spurs easily got past the Orlando Magic in their last game, 108-72. The Spurs knocked down 19 of their 23 free throws (82.6 percent), while the Magic had a turnover percentage of 18.9 (above their season average of 13.0). LaMarcus Aldridge was the top scorer from either team with 24 points on 11-for-17 shooting.
San Antonio appears to have an advantage on the offensive glass in this meeting. The Spurs currently rank eighth in offensive rebounding percentage (23.1 percent), while New Orleans ranks 21st in defensive rebounding percentage (76.8 percent). It will also be a matchup of conflicting paces as the up-tempo Pelicans rank second in possessions per game, while the slower-paced Spurs rank 29th.
New Orleans heads into the game with records of 39-28 straight up (SU) and 36-31 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to set the total low when the Pelicans are involved, as 42 of their 67 games have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, San Antonio owns records of 38-30 SU and 33-31-4 ATS. Contrary to New Orleans, a little over half of Spurs games have finished under the total.
The Pelicans have emerged victorious in both contests against the Spurs this year, including a 121-116 victory the last time these teams met. New Orleans covered as a 5-point underdog and the game finished with a total of 237 points, which was 18.5 points above the projected point total of 218.5 points. New Orleans did a great job of making free throws (12-15; 80.0 percent). San Antonio, on the other hand, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (29.5 vs. 26.1). Davis recorded a double-double with 26 points and 15 rebounds.
New Orleans Pelicans at San Antonio Spurs Odds Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
New Orleans is 23-12 ATS on the road with 18 overs and 17 unders.
San Antonio is 18-13-1 ATS at home with 17 overs and 15 unders.
In games where they hold opponents under 100 points, San Antonio is 26-10 and New Orleans is 8-1.
In games where they score above 100 points, the Pelicans are 37-18 and the Spurs are 31-10.
New Orleans ranks second in points in the paint per game (51.9) while San Antonio ranks 21st (43.4).
The Spurs rank eighth in three pointers allowed per game (27.0) while the Pelicans rank 25th (30.6).
New Orleans ranks fifth in fast break points per game (14.3) while San Antonio ranks 22nd (10.1).
The Spurs average 44.2 rebounds per game, which ranks 10th in the NBA. The Pelicans rank 26th in rebounds allowed per game (45.4).
San Antonio ranks 13th in second chance points allowed per game (12.1) while New Orleans ranks 28th (13.5).
The Pelicans rank second in assists per game (26.7) while the Spurs rank 13th (23.0).
San Antonio averages 16.1 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 20th in the NBA. New Orleans ranks 23rd in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.7).
The Spurs rank 20th in steals per game (7.4) while the Pelicans rank 22nd in steals allowed per game (8.2).
San Antonio ranks second in blocks allowed per game (3.8) while New Orleans ranks fourth (4.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, New Orleans is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
San Antonio is 2-3 ATS with 5 unders over their last five games.
The Pelicans have been outscored by an average of 2.8 points in their last five games. For the season, New Orleans has defeated opponents by an average of 0.4 points.
During their last five games, the Spurs have scored an average of 100.4 points per game (1.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 98.6 points per game (0.8 below their season average).
—–
