The San Antonio Spurs (19-23), 4-point underdogs, will be at the Smoothie King Center to meet the New Orleans Pelicans (17-27) in a Southwest Division matchup. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 236 points and it can be seen on ESPN at 9:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 22, 2020.
San Antonio Spurs vs. New Orleans Pelicans Betting Odds
Both teams covered in their last matchup. The Pelicans (3-point underdogs) defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 126-116, while the Spurs (5-point underdog) beat the Phoenix Suns 120-118. The New Orleans game finished 8.5 points under the projected point total of 250.5, while the San Antonio game went 8 points over the projected point total of 230.
The Spurs had 12 steals and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.592 (above their season average of 0.527). The Pelicans, meanwhile, knocked down 21 of their 24 free throws (87.5 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.597 (above their season average of 0.530). Jrue Holiday played well for New Orleans, contributing 36 points and six rebounds. Meanwhile, Derrick White played a key role for San Antonio with 25 points and seven assists.
The Spurs edged out the Pelicans in this series last year, taking three out of four games. In the most recent contest, San Antonio won 113-108. San Antonio’s rebounding was their biggest strength. The Spurs had 10 offensive rebounds and 50 total rebounds, while the Pelicans had five and 42, respectively. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Oddsmakers have a tendency to set the total low when the Spurs are playing, as 59.5 percent of their games have gone over the O/U total. San Antonio heads into the game with records of 19-23 straight up (SU) and 16-24-2 against the spread (ATS).
Pelicans games also have typically gone over the O/U total (56.8 percent). Moreover, New Orleans owns records of 17-27 SU and 21-20-3 ATS.
The Spurs’ DeMar DeRozan has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 27 points,8.0 rebounds,7.6 assists,1.6 steals per game. Meanwhile, Lonzo Ball has averaged 13 points,10.8 assists,9.0 rebounds,1.2 steals during that same time frame for the Pelicans.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, New Orleans figures to have a substantial edge. The sweet-shooting Pelicans offense ranks ninth in the league in that metric at 0.531, while the San Antonio defense is ranked 20th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.533). Ball protection should be an advantage for the Spurs. They rank 3rd at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 12.2 percent), while the Pelicans force the eighth-fewest turnovers in the NBA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 13.1 percent).
San Antonio Spurs vs. New Orleans Pelicans Odds Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Pelicans, ATS Winner – Pelicans, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- New Orleans ranks fourth in three pointers attempted per game (38.6) while San Antonio ranks 29th (28.2).
- The Pelicans average 25.5 assists per game, which ranks eighth in the NBA. The Spurs rank 26th in assists allowed per game (25.4).
- San Antonio averages 14.5 fast-break points per game, which ranks eighth in the NBA. New Orleans ranks 24th in fast-break points allowed per game (15.3).
- San Antonio averages 46.1 rebounds per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. New Orleans ranks 17th in rebounds allowed per game (46.0).
- The Spurs rank fifth in points off turnovers allowed per game (15.0) while the Pelicans rank 27th (18.9).
- The Spurs rank 14th in points allowed in the paint per game (47.4) while the Pelicans rank 28th (52.9).
- New Orleans ranks 10th in second chance points per game (13.5) while San Antonio ranks 28th (11.5).
- In games where they allow less than 100 points, New Orleans is 3-0 and San Antonio is 1-0.
- The Spurs are 19-19 when they score over 100 points, while the Pelicans are 17-24.
- San Antonio is 9-9-2 ATS on the road, while New Orleans is 11-10 ATS at home.
- Of the Spurs’ 20 road games, they have 12 overs, 7 unders and 1 push.
- Of the Pelicans’ 21 home games, they have 12 overs and 9 unders.
Bettings Trends:
- The Pelicans are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Spurs are 3-2.
- In their last five games, New Orleans has 4 overs and 1 under, while San Antonio has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- During their last five games, the Pelicans have scored an average of 123.2 points per game (8.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 126.2 points per game (8.6 above their season average).
- The Spurs have outscored opponents by an average of 0.2 points in their last five games. On the season, San Antonio has been defeated by an average of 1.0 point.
